Some gen'leman (as well as I could make out) had given the vanman a sov.; and so that was where the trouble come in, you see.' 'But what did he say ?' gasped Morris.
'I don't know as he SAID much, sir,' said Bill.

'But he offered to fight this Pitman for a pot of beer.

He had lost his book, too, and the receipts, and his men were all as mortal as himself.

O, they were all like'-- and Bill paused for a simile--'like lords! The superintendent sacked them on the spot.' 'O, come, but that's not so bad,' said Morris, with a bursting sigh.

'He couldn't tell where he took the packing-case, then ?' 'Not he,' said Bill, 'nor yet nothink else.' 'And what--what did Pitman do ?' asked Morris.
'O, he went off with the barrel in a four-wheeler, very trembling like,' replied Bill.