And then the redheaded man came round the partition and sat down beside Beale and talked to him, and Dickie wished he wouldn't. He heard little of the conversation; only "better luck next time" from the redheaded man, and "I don't know as I'm taking any" from Beale, and at the parting the redheaded man saying, "I'll doss same shop as wot you do," and Beale giving the name of the lodging-house where, on the way to the coffee-shop, Beale had left the perambulator and engaged their beds. "Tell you all about it in the morning" were the last words of the redheaded one as he slouched out, and Dickie and Beale were left to finish the door-steps and drink the cold tea that had slopped into their saucers. When they went out Dickie said-- "What did he want, farver--that redheaded chap?" Beale did not at once answer. "I wouldn't if I was you," said Dickie, looking straight in front of him as they walked. "Wouldn't what?" "Whatever he wants to." "Why, I ain't told you yet what he _does_ want." "'E ain't up to no good--I know that." "'E's full of notions, that's wot 'e is," said Beale. "If some of 'is notions come out right 'e'll be a-ridin' in 'is own cart and 'orse afore we know where we are--and us a-tramping in 'is dust." "Ridin' in Black Maria, more like," said Dickie. "Well, I ain't askin' _you_ to do anything, am I?" said Beale. "No!--you ain't. But whatever you're in, I'm a-goin' to be in, that's all." "Don't you take on," said Beale comfortably; "I ain't said I'll be in anything yet, 'ave I? Let's 'ear what 'e says in the morning. If 'is lay ain't a safe lay old Beale won't be in it--you may lay to that." "Don't let's," said Dickie earnestly. "Look 'ere, father, let us go, both two of us, and sleep in that there old 'ouse of ours. I don't want that red'eaded chap. He'll spoil everything--I know 'e will, just as we're a-gettin' along so straight and gay. Don't let's go to that there doss; let's lay in the old 'ouse." "Ain't I never to 'ave never a word with nobody without it's you?" said Beale, but not angrily. "Not with 'im; 'e ain't no class," said Dickie firmly; "and oh! farver, I do so wanter sleep in that 'ouse, that was where I 'ad The Dream, you know." "Oh, well--come on, then," said Beale; "lucky we've got our thick coats on."