perforated outlines,
to transfer the design to the walls,' said Owen, and he proceeded to
laboriously explain the processes.

Nimrod looked at him suspiciously. 'Is all that really necessary?' he
asked. 'Couldn't you just copy it on the wall, free-hand?'

'No; that wouldn't do. It would take much longer that way.'

This consideration appealed to Misery.

'Ah, well,' he sighed. 'I s'pose you'll 'ave to do it the way you
said; but for goodness sake don't spend too much time over it, because
we've took it very cheap. We only took it on so as you could 'ave a
job, not that we expect to make any profit out of it.'

'And I shall have to cut some stencils, so I shall need several sheets
of cartridge paper.'

Upon hearing of this addition expense, Misery's long visage appeared to
become several inches longer; but after a moment's thought he
brightened up.

'I'll tell you what!' he exclaimed with a cunning leer, 'there's lots
of odd rolls of wallpaper down at the shop. Couldn't you manage with
some of that?'

'I'm afraid it wouldn't do,' replied Owen doubtfully, 'but I'll have a
look at it and if possible I'll use it.'

'Yes, do!' said Misery, pleased at the thought of saving something.
'Call at the shop on your way home tonight, and we'll see what we can
find. 'Ow long do you think it'll take you to make the drorins and the
stencils?'

'Well, today's Thursday. If you let someone else help Easton to get
the room ready, I think I can get them done in time to bring them with
me on Monday morning.'

'Wot do yer mean, "bring them with you"?' demanded Nimrod.

'I shall have to do them at home, you know.'

'Do 'em at 'ome! Why can't you do 'em 'ere?'

'Well, there's no table, for one thing.'

'Oh, but we can soon fit you out with a table. You can 'ave a pair of
paperhanger's tressels and boards for that matter.'

'I have a lot of sketches and things at home that I couldn't very well
bring here,' said Owen.

Misery argued about it for a long time, insisting that the drawings
should be made either on the 'job' or at the paint-shop down at the
yard. How, he asked, was he to know at what hour Owen commenced or
left off working, if the latter did them at home?

'I shan't charge any more time than I really work,' replied Owen. 'I
can't possibly do them here or at the paint-shop. I know I should only
make a mess of them under such conditions.'

'Well, I s'pose you'll 'ave to 'ave your own way,' said Mise