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Slyme got up from his chair and stood with his back to the fire, looking down at them; presently he spoke, referring, of course, to the baby: 'He's very like you, isn't he? 'Yes, replied Ruth. 'Everyone says he takes after me. Slyme moved a little closer, bending down to look at the slumbering infant. 'You know, at first I thought he was a girl, he continued after a pause.
Perhaps before this she has had her doubts vague doubts, indeed, and blessed in the fact that they may admit of contradiction. But now now What was it Slyme had said? That he could either "make or unmake him," that he "had him in his power." Does Slyme, then, know the the truth about him?
Martin looked to Mr Pinch for an explanation; and Tom, who had never in his life set eyes on Mr Tigg before, looked to that gentleman himself. 'Chevy Slyme? said Mr Tigg, interrogatively, and kissing his left hand in token of friendship. 'You will understand me when I say that I am the accredited agent of Chevy Slyme; that I am the ambassador from the court of Chiv? Ha ha!
He said he wouldn't be long, replied Slyme as he put his food basket on the dresser and went upstairs to his room to wash and to change his clothes. When he came down again, Easton had not yet arrived. 'Everything's ready, except just to make the tea, said Ruth, who was evidently annoyed at the continued absence of Easton, 'so you may as well have yours now. 'I'm in no hurry.
"Good evening, Slyme," says Fabian, in half kindly, half contemptuous tone. The old man murmurs something in return. His eyes refuse to meet Fabian's, his hands join each other, and rub palm to palm in an uneasy, shuffling fashion. His voice is husky and slightly uncertain. His dull old eyes roam from Fabian to Portia in an odd, questioning way, as if debating some strange matter.
Let him say it," he says, tapping Sir Christopher's arm persuasively. "Ay, let me," says Slyme, in a low tone, yet always with the remnant of a wasted passion in it. "It has lain heavy on my heart for years. I shall fling it from me now, if the effort to do it kills me." Turning his bleared eyes right and left, he searches every face slowly until he comes to Fabian.
'They say that Gord made everything for some useful purpose, remarked Harlow, reverting to the original subject, 'but I should like to know what the hell's the use of sich things as bugs and fleas and the like. 'To teach people to keep theirselves clean, of course, said Slyme. 'That's a funny subject, ain't it? continued Harlow, ignoring Slyme's answer.
'After all, you know, said Slyme, who had stowed away somewhere at the back of his head an idea of presently starting business on his own account: he was only waiting until he had saved enough money, 'after all, there's something in what 'Unter says. It's very 'ard to get a fair price for work nowadays. Things IS cut very fine. 'Yes! We know all about that! shouted Harlow.
Of course that would include washing, and if his clothes needed a little mending she would do it for him. Slyme expressed himself satisfied with these terms, which were as Ruth had said about the usual ones. He would take the room, but he was not leaving his present lodgings until Saturday. It was therefore agreed that he was to bring his box on Saturday evening.
'Messin' about touchin' up or makin' colour. He never does 'is share of a job like this; 'e knows 'ow to work things all right for 'isself. 'What if 'e does? We'd be the same if we was in 'is place, and so would anybody else, said Slyme, and added sarcastically: 'Or p'haps you'd give all the soft jobs to other people and do all the rough yerself!
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