They evidently thought I was asleep too, for they made no effort to conceal their voices, and I consequently heard every word.
It chiefly had reference to me, and was in the main satirical.
"Some coves is uncommon proud o' themselves, mate, ain't they ?-- particular them as ain't much account after all ?" "You're right, mate.

Do you hear, Turnip?
you ain't much account; you're on'y silver-plate, yer know, so you don't ought to be proud, you don't!" "What I say," continued the pipe, "is that coves as gives 'emselves hairs above their stations is a miserable lot.

What do _you_ think ?" "What don't I ?" snuffled the string.

"Do you hear, Turnip?
you're a miserable cove, you are.

Why can't you be 'appy like me and my mate?
We don't give ourselves hairs; that's why we're 'appy." "And, arter all," pursued the pipe, "that's the sort of coves as go second-hand in the end.