CHAPTER XX.
A DAY WITH ONE OF THE NAVVIES .-- EVENING 'Excelsior!' said Charley to himself, as he walked on a few steps towards his lodgings, having left Norman at the door of his club.

'Remember it now--now, to-night.' Yes--now is the time to remember it, if it is ever to be remembered to any advantage.

He went on with stoic resolution to the end of the street, determined to press home and put the last touch to 'Crinoline and Macassar;' but as he went he thought of his interview with Mr.M'Ruen and of the five sovereigns still in his pocket, and altered his course.
Charley had not been so resolute with the usurer, so determined to get L5 from him on this special day, without a special object in view.

His credit was at stake in a more than ordinary manner; he had about a week since borrowed money from the woman who kept the public-house in Norfolk Street, and having borrowed it for a week only, felt that this was a debt of honour which it was incumbent on him to pay.

Therefore, when he had walked the length of one street on his road towards his lodgings, he retraced his steps and made his way back to his old haunts.
The house which he frequented was hardly more like a modern London gin-palace than was that other house in the city which Mr.
M'Ruen honoured with his custom.