"He walked slowly on, revolving these matters in his mind, and debating whether he could make any present use of them when his coat was plucked by a small hand. Looking down, he saw Sophy. "'Ah, Sophy,' he said, 'what do you want?' "'I've been waiting for yer,' said Sophy. 'I've got somethink to tell.' "'Good. Where shall we talk?' "Sophy's reply was a strange one. 'I know,' she said, where they sells fried fish and fried 'taters.' She smacked her lips. "'You would like some?' "'Wouldn't I? Jest?' "'Lead the way, Sophy.' "'You're a brick, old 'un, that's what you are.' "She walked close to him, rubbing against him after the fashion of a friendly cat, and conducted him toward the purlieus of Drury Lane. "'You're going to stand treat, ain't yer?' "'Yes, Sophy, to as many fried potatoes and as much fried fish as you can comfortably tuck away.' "'No gammon, yer know?' "'I mean what I say, Sophy.' "'Then there's stooed eels?' "'All right; you shall have some.' "'Don't say afterwards as I took you in. My inside's made of injer rubber. The more I puts in it the more it stretches.' "'I don't mind, Sophy.' "'You're somethink like a gent. I say, was aunty riled at the runaway knock?' "'Oh, it was you, was it?' "'Yes, it was me; I was gitting tired of waiting for yer. She's close, ain't she?' "'Who? Your aunt?' "'Yes; but I'm closer, I am. I could tell 'er somethink as 'd make 'er 'air stand on end.' "'And you are going to tell it to me?' "'Per'aps. If yer make it wuth my while.' "'You shall have no reason to complain, Sophy. Is it about M. Felix?' "'You wait till I've 'ad my tuck out.' "Burning as he was with curiosity, our reporter wisely restrained his impatience. They had now arrived at the fried-potato shop, and Sophy stood before the open window with eager eyes. The potatoes were frizzling in the pan, and were being served out hot by a greasy Italian. His customers were of the very poorest sort, and most of them received the smoking hot potatoes in the street, and went away to eat them. You could purchase a half-penny's worth or a penny's worth the paper bags in which they were delivered being of different sizes. On the open slab in the window were pieces of fried plaice, tails, heads, and middles, the price varying according to the size. A few aristocratic customers were inside the shop, sitting upon narrow wooden benches, and eating away with an air of great enjoyment. "'Don't they smell prime?' whispered Sophy. "Our reporter assented, although the odor of fat which floated from the pan left, to the fastidious taste, something to be desired. "'Will you eat your supper outside or in, Sophy?' "Inside, old 'un,' said Sophy. "They went into the shop and took their seats. There were no plates or knives or forks, but there was a plentiful supply of salt and pepper. "'Can you manage without a plate?' asked our reporter.