sir.
But, Lord! when you come to think of her gift for Yorkshire Puddin',
likewise jam-rollers, and seed-cake,--(which, though mentioned last,
ain't by no manner o' means least),--when you come to think of her brew
o' ale, an' cider, an' ginger wine,--why then--I'm took, sir, I'm took
altogether, an' the 'Old Adam' inside o' me works hisself into such a
state that if another chap--'specially that there Job Jagway gets
lookin' her way too often, why it's got to get took out o' him, or took
out o' me in good 'ard knocks, Mr. Belloo, sir."

"And when are you going to get married, Adam?"

"Well sir, we was thinkin' that if Miss Anthea has a good season, this
year, we'd get it over an' done wi' some time in October, sir,--but it's
all accordin'."

"According to what?"

"To the 'ops, sir,--the H-O-P-S--'ops, sir. They're comin' on fine,--ah!
scrumptuous they be! If they don't take the blight, sir, they'll be the
finest 'ops this side o' Maidstone. But then, if they do take the
blight,--why then my 'opes is blighted likewise sir,--B-L-I-T-E-D,
--blighted, Mr. Belloo sir!" which said, Adam laughed once, nodded his
head several times, and relapsed into puffing silence.

"Mr. Cassilis was over to-day, Adam," said Bellew, after a while
pursuing a train of thought.

"Ah sir!--I seen him,--'e also seen me. 'E told me as Job Jagway was up
and about again,--likewise Job Jagway will be over 'ere to-morrow, along
wi' the rest of 'em for the sale, sir."

"Ah yes,--the sale!" said Bellew, thoughtfully.

"To think o' that there Job Jagway a coming over here to buy Miss
Anthea's furnitur' do set the Old Adam a workin' inside o' me to that
amazin' extent as I can't sit still, Mr. Belloo sir! If that there Job
crosses my path to-morrer--well--let 'im--look out, that's all!" saying
which, Adam doubled up a huge, knotted fist and shook it at an
imaginary Job.

"Adam," said Bellew, in the same thoughtful tone, "I wonder if you would
do something for me?"

"Anything you ax me, sir, so long as you don't want me to--"

"I want you to buy some of that furniture for me."

"What!" exclaimed Adam, and vented his great laugh again, "well, if that
ain't a good 'un, sir! why that's just w'ot I'm a going to do! Ye see, I
ain't w'ot you might call a rich cove, nor yet a millionaire, but I've
got a bit put by, an' I drawed out ten pound, yesterday. Thinks
I,--'here's to save Miss Anthea's old sideboard, or the mirror as she's
so fond of, or i