"I find that you 'ave now paid five bob a week for nineteen weeks," ses
the skipper, "and George 'as been kind enough and generous enough to let
you off the rest. There's no need for you to look bashful, George; it's
a credit to you."

I could 'ardly believe my ears. George stood there grinning like a stuck
fool, and two o' the chaps was on their best behaviour with their 'ands
over their mouths and their eyes sticking out.

"That's all, watchman," ses the skipper; "and I 'ope it'll be a lesson to
you not to neglect your dooty by going into public-'ouses and taking
charge of other people's money when you ain't fit for it."

"I sha'n't try to do anybody else a kindness agin, if that's wot you
mean," I ses, looking at 'im.

"No, you'd better not," he ses. "This partickler bit o' kindness 'as
cost you four pounds fifteen, and that's a curious thing when you come to
think of it. Very curious."

"Wot d'ye mean?" I ses.

"Why," he ses, grinning like a madman, "it's just wot we lost between us.
I lost a watch and chain worth two pounds, and another couple o' pounds
besides; Joe lost ten shillings over 'is di'mond ring; and Charlie lost
five bob over a pipe. 'That's four pounds fifteen--just the same as
you."

Them silly fools stood there choking and sobbing and patting each other
on the back as though they'd never leave off, and all of a sudden I 'ad a