It first fumbled me and my chain, with a view, I suppose, to ascertain if we were all safe, and then proceeded among the other occupants of the pocket to secure and draw forth the half penny which I have before mentioned.
I was relieved to have even one of my unpleasant companions removed, and could not refrain from expressing my feelings by a sigh.
"What are you snivelling at, Turnip ?" asked the pipe.
I did not deign to reply.
"Suppose yer think that there _sou_," (fancy the stump of a clay pipe speaking French!) "is gone for good, and good riddance, do yer?
You wait a bit, that's all." "Boh, boh!" chimed in the string.

"Do you hear, Turnip?
Wait till you see the soldier; then see how you'll laugh!" "What soldier ?" I inquired, my curiosity for a moment getting the better of my reserve.

I could not imagine what possible connexion there could be between the military and the disreputable copper I had so lately seen depart.
I was not long in suspense, however, for before my two vulgar companions could answer my question, the "soldier" made his appearance.
The dirty little hand again entered our quarters, and let fall in our midst a red herring! At the sight and smell of him I turned sick with disgust.

Fancy a silver watch sat upon, squeezed, and besmeared by a reeking red herring.

He came sprawling right on the top of me, the brute, his ugly mouth wide open and his loathsome fins scraping along my back.