's hand, Big James might have
poetically symbolised their relation.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

THREE.

"Are you going to sing to-night at the Dragon, Mr Yarlett?" asked
Edwin. He lengthened his step to Big James's, controlled his ardent
body, and tried to remember that he was a man with a man.

"I am, young sir," said Big James. "There is a party of us."

"Is it the Male Glee Party?" Edwin pursued.

"Yes, Mr Edwin."

"Then Mr Smallrice will be there?"

"He will, Mr Edwin."

"Why can Mr Smallrice sing such high notes?"

Big James slowly shook his head, as Edwin looked up at him. "I tell you
what it is, young sir. It's a gift, that's what it is, same as I can
sing low."

"But Mr Smallrice is very old, isn't he?"

"There's a parrot in a cage over at the Duck, there, as is eighty-five
years old, and that's proved by record kept, young sir."

"No!" protested Edwin's incredulity politely.

"By record kept," said Big James.

"Do you often sing at the Dragon, Mr Yarlett?"

"Time was," said Big James, "when some of us used to sing there every
night, Sundays excepted, and concerts and whatnot excepted. Aye! For
hours and hours every night. And still do sometimes."

"After your work?"

"After our work. Aye! And often till dawn in summer. One o'clock, two
o'clock, half-past two o'clock, every night. But now they say that this
new Licensing Act will close every public-house in this town at eleven
o'clock, and a straight-up eleven at that!"

"But what do you do it for?"

"What do we do it for? We do it to pass the time and the glass, young
sir. Not as I should like you to think as I ever drank, Mr Edwin. One
quart of ale I take every night, and have ever done; no more, no less."

"But"--Edwin's rapid, breaking voice interrupted eagerly the deep
majestic tones--"aren't you tired the next day? I should be!"

"Never," said Big James. "I get up from my bed as fresh as a daisy at
six sharp. And I've known the nights when my bed ne'er saw me."

"You must be strong, Mr Yarlett, my word!" Edwin exclaimed. These
revelations of the habits and prowess of Big James astounded him. He
had never suspected that such things went on in the town.

"Aye! Middling!"

"I suppose it's a free-and-easy at the Dragon, to-night, Mr Yarlett?"

"In a manner of speaking," said Big James.

"I wish I could stay for it."

"And why not?" Big James suggested, and