"Anybody got a halfpenny ?" "What for ?" I inquired, as the requisite coin was planked down on the table.
"Heads Tempest, tails Crofter," said Langrish.
It was heads, and I was solemnly ordered to adhere to Crofter.
"We'll square it with Tempest," said they.

"He'll probably keep his shutters up for a day or two, but he'll soon get over it." "But," said I, "I mean to stick to Tempest as well.

The fact is, from what I hear,"-- little I realised the fatal error I was making!--"he's in rather a bad way himself." "How ?" "Well, don't tell; but he's owing a lot in the shops; and if he can't pay he'll get shown up." There was a whistle of dismay at this.

Sweeten's fate was still fresh in the memory of some of the faggery.
"We'll have to give him a leg-up," was the general verdict.
"Oh, don't let out I told you!" said I, beginning to get alarmed at the interest my revelation had evoked.
"Who's going to say a word about you?
We can back up the cock of our own house, I suppose, without asking your precious leave.

You go and black Crofter's boots.