The Argosy, Vol. XXIV No. 2 — page 180: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

372 LIVING IT DOWN. else? We don’t want ’em, I'm sure. Ves, and there’d ’ave been one more dead if it ’adn’t been for our John to get him out. More’n any of them would ’a done for us; tipsy brutes! that’s what they is, and they ought to block up that there passage way, the Bord ’o Works ought, and let ’em keep theirselves to theirselves ; we don’t want ’em, I’m sure !”’ When she paused for breath, Raby inquired : ‘‘ And did John save somebody’s life ?’’ ‘““Yus; a bloomin’ cripple, as bad as the rest of ’em, you can take your davy, if he’d’ad the chance! And there’s John that bruised and ’urt it’s a disgrace to see, and ’im bein’ so good to them babies, too, and all that !”’ Raby heard her out. ‘There wasa lot more to tell. ‘Then she said: ‘“ Well, I dare say I shall see you again, Mrs. Brook. I’ll call and see some of my friends now.”’ ‘’ You better give a look in at John’s. It’s my notion things is queer up there.’’ i Raby paid several visits on her way up. Then, with some trepidation, she knocked at the door of the garret. There was no reply from within till she turned the handle. and said: ‘“May I come in ?”’ Then a voice replied : ‘“ Yes, if you like,’’ and she entered. It was a strange scene which met her eyes as she did so. A lad was stretched on the bed awake, but motionless, regarding with some anxiety a baby who slumbered, nestling close to his side. On the floor, curled up with his face to the wall, lay a man, sleeping heavily ; while Tim, divided in his interest between the stranger on the bed and the visitor at the door, stood like a little watch dog suddenly put on his guard. ‘“ May I come in?”’ said Raby again, timidly. ‘“Here she is!’’ cried Tim, running to her; ‘‘ John’s asleep, and he,’’ pointing to the figure on the bed, ‘‘ can’t run about.’’ ‘“ Correct, Timothy,’’ said the youth referred to, ‘‘ I can’t—hullo !”’ This last exclamation was caused by his catching sight of Raby at the door. He had expected a lodger ; but what was this apparition ? ‘‘ Please come in,’’ said he, bewildered ; ‘‘ it’s a shocking room to ask you into, and—Timothy, introduce me to your friend.’’ | Raby smiled ; and how the crippled lad thought it brightened the room ! ‘“Tim and I are friends,’’ said she, lifting up the child to give him a kiss. I'm afraid you are very badly hurt. I heard of-the fire as I came up.’’ ‘No, I’m all right ; I’m never very active. In fact, I can only move my hands and my head, as Timothy says. I can’t run, I’ma cripple. I shouldn't be anything if it wasn’t for Jeff. Hullo, Jeff! Wake up, old man!”’ Raby started and turned pale as she raised her hand to prevent his wak- ing the sleeper. ‘No, please don’t wake him; what did you say his name was?’’ ‘ Jeffreys—John Jeffreys—commonly called Jeff. He hauled me out of the fire last night, and guessed as little at the time who I was as I guessed who he was. I can’t believe it yet. It’s like a a | books al ©) =)