_Mat_. Well, look here, Bill. It's all Susan and I can do to pay for our room, and get a bit of bread and a cup of tea. It ain't enough.--If you were to earn a few pence now-- _Bill_. Oh golly! I never thought o' that. What a hass I wur, to be sure! I'll go a shoe-blackin' to-morror--I will. _Mat_. Did you ever black a shoe, Bill? _Bill_. I tried a boot oncet--when Jim wor a blackin' for a day or two. But I made nothink on it--nothink worth mentionin'. The blackin' or som'at was wrong. The gen'leman said it wur coal-dust, an he'd slog me, an' adwised me to go an' learn my trade. _Mat_. And what did you say to that? _Bill_. Holler'd out "Shine yer boots!" as loud as I could holler. _Mat_. You must try my boots next time you come. _Bill_. This wery night, Mattie. I'll make 'em shine like plate glass--see then if I don't. But where'll I get a box and brushes? _Mat_. You shall have our brushes and my footstool. _Bill_. I see! Turn the stool upside down, put the brushes in, and carry it by one leg--as drunken Moll does her kid.--Here you are, sir! Black your boots, sir?--Shine your trotters, sir? (_bawling_.) _Mat_. That'll do; that'll do, Bill! Famous! You needn't do it again (_holding her ears_). Would you like a tart? _Bill_. Just wouldn't I, then!--Shine your boooooots! _Mat_. (_laughing_). Do hold your tongue, Bill. There's a penny for a tart. _Bill_. Thank you, Mattie. Thank you. _Exit into the shop_. _Jack and Jim_ (_touching their supposed caps_). Please, ma'am! Please, ma'am! I likes 'em too. I likes 'em more 'n Bill. _Mat_. I'm very sorry, but--(_feeling in her pocket_) I've got a ha'penny, I believe. No--there's a penny! You must share it, you know. (_Gives it to Jack. Knocks at Mrs. Clifford's door._) _Jack and Jim_. Thank you, ma'am. Thank you, ma'am. _Exit_ MATTIE _into_ MRS. CLIFFORD'S. _Jim_. Now, Jack, what's it to be? _Jack_. I believe I shall spend it in St. Martin's Lane. _Jim_. A ha'p'orth on it's mine, you know, Jack. _Jack_. Well, you do put the stunners on me! _Jim_. She said we wos to divide it--she did. _Jack_. 'Taint possible. It beats my ivories. (_He pretends to bite it_. JIM _flies at him in a rage_.) _Re-enter_ BILL, _with his mouth full_. _Bill_. Now what are you two a squabblin' over? Oh! Jack's got a yennep, and Jim's iookin' shirty. _Jim_. She told him to divide it, and he won't. _Bill_. Who told him? _Jim_. Mattie. _Bill_. You dare, Jack? Hand over. _Jack_. Be hanged if I do. _Bill_. Then do and be hanged. (_A struggle_.) There, Jim! Now you go and buy what you like. _Jim_. Am I to give Jack the half? _Bill_. Yes, if our Mattie said it. _Jim_. All right, Bill. (_Goes into the shop_.) _Jack_. I owe you one for that, Bill. _Bill_. Owe it me then, Jack. I do like fair play--always did (_eating_). _Jack_. You ain't a sharin' of _your_ yennep, Bill. _Bill_. Mattie didn't say I was to. She knowed one wouldn't break up into three nohow. 'Tain't in natur', Jack.