sections, in particular those who lived in the
neighbourhood and were not out of pocket for railway fares, were
inclined to regard the whole affair as a huge joke, and badinage flowed
freely. There was, however, another section that thirsted for
somebody's blood, and was inclined to regard Mr. Hearty as the person
most suitable to supply this.

In the immediate vicinity of the shop-door the excitement was intense,
everyone pushing and striving to get nearer. There was no suggestion
of personal feeling save in the case of those who were bent on the same
errand. Thus a potential housekeeper felt nothing but friendliness for
a would-be dog-seller, whilst a hopeful housemaid was capable of
experiencing almost an affection for a mother who had a spare offspring
she was wishful of having adopted.

When the first brewers' dray drew up it was greeted with cheers, and
one man who drove up in a donkey-cart with a flashily-dressed young
woman was greeted with the inevitable:

"Who's your lady friend? I am surprised at you,
It isn't the one I saw you with at 'Ampstead,"

sung by a score of robust voices.

Cries, cat-calls, and advice to those inside to "save a drop for
uncle," and "'urry up," were continuous. Many crude jokes were
levelled at Mr. Hearty's name.

When the helmets of the police were seen bobbing their way through the
crowd there were prolonged cheers.

The first policeman to arrive, having foreseen the possibility of
trouble, had promptly telephoned for assistance. At the time the
reinforcements arrived, including an inspector and two mounted
constables, the attitude of the crowd was beginning to assume an ugly
look. One of the more aggressive spirits had endeavoured to single out
Mr. Hearty as a target for one of his own potatoes; but he had,
unfortunately for him, hit the policeman, whose action had been so
swift and uncompromising that there was no further attempt at disorder.

The inspector quickly saw that very little that was coherent could be
obtained from Mr. Hearty. It was Bindle who supplied the details of
what had occurred.

"'Earty's me brother-in-law," he replied. "'E's either gone off 'is
onion or someone's been pullin' 'is leg. All this 'ere little lot,"
and Bindle indicated the congested High Street, "'as brought 'im things
they says 'e's ordered, and 'e says 'e ain't, an' them crowds of men,
women, and dogs and kids 'as come sayin' he wants to give 'em jobs or
'omes."

Th