big leather bag. I took 'im into the private office, and 'e was so
ready with 'is money for the clothes that I offered to throw the sack
in.

He changed into my clothes fust of all, and then, asking me to sit down
in front of 'im, he took a looking-glass and a box out of 'is bag and
began to alter 'is face. Wot with sticks of coloured paint, and false
eyebrows, and a beard stuck on with gum and trimmed with a pair o'
scissors, it was more like a conjuring trick than anything else. Then
'e took a wig out of 'is bag and pressed it on his 'ead, put on the cap,
put some black stuff on 'is teeth, and there he was. We both looked
into the glass together while 'e gave the finishing touches, and then he
clapped me on the back and said I was the handsomest sailorman in
England.

"I shall have to make up a bit 'eavier when I'm behind the floats," he
ses; "but this is enough for 'ere. Wot do you think of the imitation of
your voice? I think I've got it exact."

"If you ask me," I ses, "it sounds like a poll-parrot with a cold in the
'ead."

"And now for your walk," he ses, looking as pleased as if I'd said
something else. "Come to the door and see me go up the wharf."

I didn't like to hurt 'is feelings, but I thought I should ha' bust. He
walked up that wharf like a dancing-bear in a pair of trousers too tight
for it, but 'e was so pleased with 'imself that I didn't like to tell
'im so. He went up and down two or three times, and I never saw
anything so ridikerlous in my life.