"Only," he added, "the old woman might have had the knocker

to keep away from the lush while I was in quod. . . . But wot's all this

"HE might barrack and fight for you, some day, Ernie," she said softly,

"when you're old and out of form and ain't got no push to back you."

The thing was becoming decidedly embarrassing to Stowsher;

not that he felt any delicacy on the subject, but because he hated

to be drawn into a conversation that might be considered "soft".

"Oh, stow that!" he said, comfortingly. "Git on yer hat,