He looked displeased and said nothing.
"Don't be afraid, I'll pay you back soon's ever me ship comes home," went on the young scapegrace, who very well knew how to play his cards.
At his companion's heated disclaimer, however, he changed his tone.

"I say, Dick, have a look at my foot, will you?
I can't get this damned boot off." The elder man bent over the injury.

He ceased to show displeasure.
"Purdy, you young fool, when will you learn wisdom ?" "Well, they shouldn't hunt old women, then--the swine!" gave back Purdy; and told his tale.

"Oh, lor! there go six canaries." For, at his wincing and shrinking, his friend had taken a penknife and ripped up the jackboot.

Now, practised hands explored the swollen, discoloured ankle.
When it had been washed and bandaged, its owner stretched himself on the ground, his head in the shade of a barrel, and went to sleep.
He slept till sundown, through all the traffic of a busy afternoon.
Some half-a-hundred customers came and went.