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Come, now, Stoker, say to Zook you are sorry and won't worry him any more, and I'm sure he'll forgive you!" "Hear! hear!" cried several of the on-lookers. "Perhaps I may forgive 'im," said Zook, with a humorous leer, as he wiped his bleeding nose "I'd do a'most anything to please Charlie!"
What Zook himself felt, it is impossible for well-to-do folk to conceive, or an ordinary pen to describe; but, as he sat there, opposite to his big friend and champion, stowing away the good things with zest and devotion of purpose, it was easy to believe that his watery eyes were charged with the tears of gratitude, as well as with those of a chronic cold to which he was subject.
"Charlie," said Zook, sitting down beside his champion, "or p'r'aps I should say Mister Charlie, the game's up wi' you, whatever it was." "What d'you mean, Zook?" "Well, I just mean that it's o' no manner o' use your tryin' to sail any longer under false colours in this here establishment." "I must still ask you to explain yourself," said Charlie, with a puzzled look.
There was an approving laugh at this as the champions shook hands and stood on guard. "I am quite willing even yet," said Charlie, while in this attitude, "to settle this matter without fighting if you'll only agree to leave Zook alone in future."
I know enough of Indian-fighting to feel sure there must have been some sharp work when they leave two dead on the field." "So do I," answered the major, "and that is why I inquired of old Zook for particulars. He is the last man in the ranks to be exaggerative or sensational, and as for his captain, well, this despatch is simply characteristic of Terry.
"Here, Zook," said Charlie, as the former passed the table at which he was seated taking his supper, "I've bought more than I can eat, as usual! I've got two red-herrings and can eat only one. Will you help me?" "It's all fish that comes to my net, Charlie," said the little man, skipping towards his friend, and accepting the herring with a grateful but exaggerated bow.
Between Stoker and Zook there was nothing in common save their poverty, and the former had taken a strong dislike to the latter, presumably on the ground of Zook's superiority in everything except bulk of frame.
Zook, come here. Not a word about all this in the lodging-house; stay, now I think of it, don't go to the lodging-house at all. Go to a casual ward where they'll make you take a good bath. Be sure you give yourself a good scrub. D'ye hear?" "Yes, sir." He walked away murmuring, "More 'am and hegg an' buttered toast to-night! Zook, you're in luck to-day in clover, my boy! in clover!"
"Come along, Zook, I like punctuality. Are you hungry?" "'Ungry as a 'awk, sir," replied Zook, glancing at the table and rubbing his hands, for there entered his nostrils delicious odours, the causes of which very seldom entered his throat. "W'y, sir, I know'd you was a gent, from the wery first!" "I have at least entered my native shell," said Charlie, with a laugh. "Sit down.
In this 'ere 'ouse, sir, or in a resterang?" "Neither. In my lodgings, Zook." Having given his address to the little man, Charlie bade him good-night and retired to his pauper-bed for the last time. Punctual to the minute Zook presented himself to Mrs Butt next morning and demanded audience.
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