THE LAST ARABIAN \ICHT 535

won't make me believe you haven't got into trouble with
your little goings-on lately, and that's why they've given
you the sack-but I say, what's just 'appened ought "to be
a lesson. You can't afford it and you 'aven't got the 'ead
for it, so you've just got to let the booze alone. Pa can't
afford it, but I will say, Vs got the 'ead for it. You
'aven't That's why it's a lesson, Promise me that, and
I'll let you run on a bit, paying me what you can, while
you're out of a job. We've got to live and let live in
these times, and I will say that up to lately you've been
as quiet and reg'lar paying a young chap as I've ever let
to. And just you keep on Pa's right side too, for 'e won't
like it, being in business himself you might say and a bit
of a stickler, but I've got a softer nature and I'm not for
turning a young chap out just 'cos he's got his bit of
trouble and can't pay all he's agreed to pay—"

"Thanks very much, Mrs. Pelumpton," said Turgis
warmly.

"—For a few weeks anyhow/' she added cautiously.

Turgis thanked her again, but with considerable less
warmth this time. It might be more than any few weeks
before he saw another three pounds a week or anything
like it, and the way Mrs. Peluinpton talked before she
said that, he had imagined she was ready to let him stay
on for months. Still, a few weeks were something. He
had dreaded telling her that he had lost his job, had not
even got this fortnight's money, and would have to keep
her waiting. He felt a bit better now that he had told
her, but nevertheless he was still feeling pretty miser-
able. He wondered what was happening in the office,
whether Mr. Golspie had explained to Mr. Dersingham
what had occurred last night, whether they would send
his money on to him, whether they would give him a