Alpha Book

"
"T'aint much of it the old'un'll see," said another. "Ven yer pockets it
at the Cock and Bottle, my kiddy, yer won't find much of it left o' Sunday
mornings."
"Don't his mother know he's out?" asked another, "and won't she know it--
"Ven he's sitting in his glory
Half-price at the Victory.
"Oh! no, ve never mentions her--her name is never heard. Certainly not, by
no means. Why should it?"
"Well, if yer won't stand a pot," quoth the tall man, "I will, that's all,
and blow temperance. 'A short life and a merry one,' says the tailor--
"The ministers talk a great deal about port,
And they makes Cape wine very dear,
But blow their hi's if ever they tries
To deprive a poor cove of his beer.
"Here, Sam, run to the Cock and Bottle for a pot of half-and-half to my
score."
A thin, pale lad jumped up and vanished, while my tormentor turned to me:
"I say, young'un, do you know why we're nearer heaven here than our
neighbours?"
"I shouldn't have thought so," answered I with a _naivete_ which raised a
laugh, and dashed the tall man for a moment.


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