up
the hill. It seemed heavier now that ever, but he managed to get on
somehow. He kept glancing back after Rushton and Sweater, who
presently turned a corner and were lost to view: then he ran the cart
to the kerb again to have a breathe. He couldn't have kept up much
further without a spell even if they had still been watching him, but
he didn't rest for more than about half a minute this time, because he
was afraid they might be peeping round the corner at him.

After this he gave up the lamp-post system and halted for a minute or
so at regular short intervals. In this way, he at length reached the
top of the hill, and with a sigh of relief congratulated himself that
the journey was practically over.

Just before he arrived at the gate of the house, he saw Hunter sneak
out and mount his bicycle and ride away. Bert wheeled his cart up to
the front door and began carrying in the things. Whilst thus engaged
he noticed Philpot peeping cautiously over the banisters of the
staircase, and called out to him:

'Give us a hand with this bucket of whitewash, will yer, Joe?'

'Certainly, me son, with the greatest of hagony,' replied Philpot as he
hurried down the stairs.

As they were carrying it in Philpot winked at Bert and whispered:

'Did yer see Pontius Pilate anywheres outside?'

''E went away on 'is bike just as I come in at the gate.'

'Did 'e? Thank Gord for that! I don't wish 'im no 'arm,' said
Philpot, fervently, 'but I 'opes 'e gets runned over with a motor.'

In this wish Bert entirely concurred, and similar charitable sentiments
were expressed by all the others as soon as they heard that Misery was
gone.

Just before four o'clock that afternoon Bert began to load up the truck
with the venetian blinds, which had been taken down some days
previously.

'I wonder who'll have the job of paintin' 'em?' remarked Philpot to
Newman.

'P'raps's they'll take a couple of us away from ere.'

'I shouldn't think so. We're short-'anded 'ere already. Most likely
they'll put on a couple of fresh 'ands. There's a 'ell of a lot of
work in all them blinds, you know: I reckon they'll 'ave to 'ave there
or four coats, the state they're in.'

'Yes. No doubt that's what will be done,' replied Newman, and added
with a mirthless laugh:

'I don't suppose they'll have much difficulty in getting a couple of
chaps.'

'No, you're right, mate. There's plenty of 'em walkin' about as a
week's work would be a Gordse