"'Ello, Missus! 'Ello, Kid! 'Ello! Wot's all this 'ere?" His eyes fell
upon William. "'Ello young gent!"
"Happy Christmas," William murmured politely.
"Sime to you an' many of them. 'Ow are you, Missus? Kid looked arter
you all right? That's _right_. Oh, I _sye_! Where's the grub come
from? Fair mikes me mouth water. I 'aven't seen nuffin' like
_this_--not fer _some_ time!"
There was a torrent of explanations, everyone talking at once. He gave
a loud guffaw at the end.
"Well, we're much obliged to this young gent and this little lady, and
now we'll 'ave a good ole supper. This is all _right_, this is! Now,
Missus, you 'ave a good feed. Now, 'fore we begin, I sye three cheers
fer the young gent and little lady. Come on, now, 'Ip, 'ip, 'ip,
'_ooray_! Now, little lady, you come 'ere. That's fine, that is! Now
'oo'll 'ave a meat pie? 'Oo's fer a meat pie? Come on, Missus! That's
right. We'll _all_ 'ave meat pies! This 'ere's sumfin _like_
Christmas, eh? We've not 'ad a Christmas like this--not for many a
long year. Now, 'urry up, Kid. Don't spend all yer time larfin'. Now,
ladies an' gents, 'oo's fer a sausage roll? All of us? Come on, then!
I mustn't eat too 'eavy or I won't be able to sing to yer aterwards,
will I? I've got some fine songs, young gent. And Kid 'ere 'll dance
fer yer. She's a fine little dancer, she is! Now, come on, ladies an'
gents, sandwiches? More pies? Come on!"
They laughed and chattered merrily.
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