He's safe in camp with the women." "Anywheres nigh ?" asked Bill Bush.
Tom o' the Gleam made no answer, but the fierce look in his eyes showed that he was not disposed to be communicative on this point.

Just then the sound of voices raised in some dispute on the threshold of the "Trusty Man," caused all the customers in the common room to pause in their talking and drinking, and to glance expressively at one another.
Miss Tranter's emphatic accents rang out sharply on the silence.
"It wants ten minutes to ten, and I never close till half-past ten," she said decisively.

"The law does not compel me to do so till eleven, and I resent private interference." "I am aware that you resent any advice offered for your good," was the reply, delivered in harsh masculine tones.

"You are a singularly obstinate woman.

But I have my duty to perform, and as minister of this parish I shall perform it." "Mind your own business first!" said Miss Tranter, with evident vehemence.
"My business is my duty, and my duty is my business,"-- and here the male voice grew more rasping and raucous.