"Sam," said Mrs Jenkles; and then she stopped almost aghast at her husband's proceedings, for with a sharp flourish of the hand, he knocked Barney's pipe from his mouth, the stem breaking close to his teeth, and he looking perfectly astonished at the cabman's daring. "What are yer smoking like that for, here? Can't yer see it makes the young lady cough?" "I'll--" exclaimed Barney, rushing at Sam menacingly; and Netta uttered a shriek. "Don't you mind him, Miss," said Sam, laughing, "it's only his fun. It's a little playful way he's got with him, that's all. Which is the boxes?" "That trunk, and the carpet-bag, Sam," said Mrs Jenkles; and Sam advanced to them. "Hadn't we better give up?" said Mrs Lane, pitifully; and she glanced at Netta who trembled violently. "I should think not, indeed," said Mrs Jenkles. "Don't you be afraid-- they daren't stop you." "But we just dare," said Mrs Sturt, furiously. "Not a thing goes off till my bill's paid." "And they don't go off when it is! now then," said Barney. "Don't let him touch those things," said Mrs Sturt. "Sam, you take that trunk down directly," said Mrs Jenkles. "Now, my dear; come along." "All right," said Sam, and he advanced to the trunk; but Barney pushed himself forward, and sat down upon the box; while, as Mrs Jenkles placed her arm round Netta, and led her towards the door, Mrs Sturt jerked herself to it, and placed her back against the panels. "You're a nice 'un, you are, Barney Sturt, Esquire, of the suburban races," said Sam, good-temperedly; "but it aint no good, so get up, and let's go quietly." Barney growled out an oath, and showed his teeth, as Mrs Lane came up to Sam, and laid her hand on his shoulder. "Thank you much," she said, with a shudder; "but I give up: we cannot go." "Believe you can't," said Barney, grinning. "D'yer hear that, cabby?" "Yes, I hear," said Sam, gruffly; "and if it weren't that I don't want to make a row afore the ladies, I'd have you off that trunk afore you knew where you was. And as to leaving the box alone, my missus said I was to take it down to the keb. Is it to go, old lady?" "Yes, certainly," said Mrs Jenkles, with flashing eyes. "Now, Barney, d'yer hear?" said Sam. "Who do you call Barney? You don't know me," said he. "Oh no," said Sam; "I don't know you. I didn't give yer a lift in my 'ansom, and drive yer away down at 'Ampton, when the mob had torn yer clothes into rags for welching, and they was going to pitch yer in the Thames, eh?" Barney scowled, and shuffled about on his seat. "Now, then," said Sam; "are you going to get up?" "No," said Barney. "Mrs Jenkles, pray end this scene!" exclaimed Mrs Lane, pitifully--"for her sake," she added in a whisper. "I'll end it, mum," said Sam.