nd embarrassing manner.

It was very quiet and fresh outside, after the hoarse wrangling and the
dreadful air, and I liked to have the boy's soft hand in mine. He said,
"Missa Benjo's cellar open. Two mens fall down a-night; you keep a-hold
o' my hand." I went very warily down the alley, and found that Mr. Benjo
had assuredly left an awkward trap for the people from The Chequers. My
young man seemed very smart and careful, and he soon led to a lone door
which opened into a den that was half kitchen, half cellar.

"Who a-you got long o' you, Teddy?" inquired a gruff man who was
crouched on a stool by the side of the empty grate.

"It's a man, father, wot give me the beer."

"Come in, mate, if you've a mind."

I accepted the invitation, prompted by my usual curiosity, and found
myself in a stinking little box, which was lit by a guttering dip. Some
clothes hung on a line, and these offended more senses than one. No
breath of pure air seemed to have blown through that gruesome dwelling
for many a day, but I am seasoned, and nothing puts me out much.

"Ain't got another seat, mate. Take the bed."

The bed was not suggestive of sleep, and I was a trifle uneasy as I sat
down; yet I knew it would never do to hesitate, so down I sat.

"Wot's this about givin' Teddy the beer?"

I made answer.

"Ain't got no more 'n two bloomin' dee, but you can have 'em, and thank
ye for your trouble."

"I have money enough, thanks. A pint isn't much."

"Oh, now I knows you. A bloke was a-tellin' me they had a broken-down
toff round at The Chequers, and some on 'em says you ain't no more
broken down 'n the Lord Mayor. Allus got enough for a 'eavy booze.
Anyway, you talks like a toff. I used to git round to the bar, but it
don't run to it now. Two kids; and Teddy's clothes there ain't not so
easy to buy now. Missus is out charin'. She'll fetch us a bit o' supper,
and I makes out middlin' well along o' my pint and bit o' bacca. How's
things, mate?"

I said that things were flourishing fairly.

"You ain't never done much blank work, _you_ ain't. Your dukes is same
as silk. Bin a tailor?"

"No, I have other work to do."

"All square, mate; 'tain't no business o' mine. Things is bad 'ere. The
blank, blank swine of a blank landlord, he takes pooty well 'alf of
every tanner I can make, and d----d if he'll do anything to the place."

"Smells are queer down here."

"Smell! Lord love you, come down yere to-morrer, and you'll git to k