Such an occurrence was too ordinary to suggest any special significance, but Abraham would not pass without making some inquiry.
Begging Ida to stand where he left her, he pushed his way into the shop and listened to what was going on.

A lad, well known in these parts as "Lushy Dick," was, it appeared, charging the tobacconist with cheating him; he alleged that he had deposited half a sovereign on the counter in payment for a cigar, and the shopman had given him change as if for sixpence, maintaining stoutly that sixpence had been the coin given him, and no half-sovereign at all.

When Mr.Woodstock entered, the quarrel had reached a high pitch.
"Arf a quid!" the tobacconist was exclaiming contemptuously.

"I'd like to know where such as you's likely to git arf a quid from." Lushy Dick, stung to recklessness by a succession of such remarks, broke out in vehement self-justification.
"_Would_ yer like to know, y' old -- --! Then yer shall, -- -- soon! I'm -- -- if I don't tell jist the -- -- truth, an' take the ---- consequences.

It was Slimy as give it me, an' if yer want to know where Slimy got it, yer 'll 'ave to -- -- well find out, 'cos I don't know myself." "And how came Slimy to give you half a sovereign ?" Mr.Woodstock at once interposed, speaking with authority.
"Is that you, Mr.Woodstock ?" exclaimed the boy, turning round suddenly at the sound of the voice.