'Where's Corkscrew ?' Mr.Corkscrew was also a navvy, and was one of those to whom Charley had specially alluded when he spoke of the low set.
'Oh, here's a regular go,' said Scatterall.

'It's all up with Corkscrew, I believe.' 'Why, what's the cheese now ?' 'Oh! it's all about some pork chops, which Screwy had for supper last night.' Screwy was a name of love which among his brother navvies was given to Mr.Corkscrew.

'Mr.Snape seems to think they did not agree with him.' 'Pork chops in July!' exclaimed Charley.
'Poor Screwy forgot the time of year,' said another navvy; 'he ought to have called it lamb and grass.' And then the story was told.

On the preceding afternoon, Mr.
Corkscrew had been subjected to the dire temptation of a boating party to the Eel-pie Island for the following day, and a dinner thereon.

There were to be at the feast no less than four-and-twenty jolly souls, and it was intimated to Mr.Corkscrew that as no soul was esteemed to be more jolly than his own, the party would be considered as very imperfect unless he could join it.
Asking for a day's leave Mr.Corkscrew knew to be out of the question; he had already taken too many without asking.