o 'ome to where you 'ad your 'air cut
last--to Pentonville! (_The_ G.O. _retires._) There, we shall get along
better without '_im_. 'Ow long are you goin' to keep me 'ere? Upon my word
an' honour, it's enough to sicken a man to see what the world's come to!
Where's yer courage? Where's yer own common sense? Where's your faith in
'umin nature? What do yer _expect_? (_Scathingly._) Want me to wrop it up
in a porcel, and send it 'ome for yer? Is _that_ what yer waitin' for!
Dammy, if this goes on, I shall git wild, and take and give the bloomin'
purse a bath! (_The_ Simple Spectator _feels in his pockets--evidently for
a half-crown_.) 'Ere, _you_ look more intelligent than the rest--I'll try
yer jest this once. Jest to show yer don't know me, and--(_Shouts of
"They're off! They're coming!" from the bank; the_ Purse-seller's _audience
suddenly melts away, leaving him alone with the_ Seedy Slinker.) 'Ere, JIM,
we may as well turn it up. 'Ere come them blanky boats!
_A Juvenile Plunger_ (_with rather a complicated book on the event_). If
Oxford wins, I've got ter git a penny out of 'im, and if Kimebridge wins,
you've got ter git a penny outer _me_!
_Crowd_ (_as the Crews flash by_). Go it, Oxford! Ox--ford! No, Kimebridge!
Well rowed, Kimebridge!... Oxford wins! No, it don't. _I'll_ lay it don't!
Splendid rycin'. Which on 'em was Oxford? The inside one. No, it worn't--
they was _outside_. Well, Oxford was _leadin_', anyway!... There, _that's_
all over till next year! Not much to come out for, either--on'y just see
'em for a second or so. Oh, _I_ come out for the lark of it, _I_ do....
There goes the pidgins orf.... We shan't be long knowin' now.... 'Ere's the
Press Boat comin' back.... There, wot did I _tell_ yer, now? Well, they
didn't orter ha' won. that's all--the others was the best crew.... 'Ere
they are, all together on the launch, d'ye see? Seem friendly enough, too,
considerin', torkin' to each other and all. Lor, they wouldn't bear no
malice now it's over!
[_Crowd disperse, and patronise_ "_Popsy Wopsy_," _the Roulette_, _Ole
Billy Fairplay_, _&c._, _&c._, _with renewed zest._
* * * * *
Mrs. RAMSBOTHAM is staying with her niece in the country. She is much
delighted with the rich colour of the spring bulbs, and says she at last
understands the meaning of "as rich as Crocus."
* * * * *
WILLIAM THE WHALER, AND HIS GREAT LONE WHALING EXPED
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