During these transactions, Mr. Dodson, having dispatched his own ham-sandwich and “tankard of half-and-half with plenty of top” with great success, proceeded to deal in like manner with those of his strange companion. And further, at the conclusion of these operations he disclosed, mainly for the information of the lady in the scarlet blouse, the true basis upon which two such diverse elements as Mr. James Dodson and Mr. William Jordan, Junior, were wont to co-operate. “Luney,” he said to the boy, while he fixed the lady in the scarlet blouse with a steady and unsmiling gaze, “you can lend me two and a kick _pro tem._ Matchbox has gone down in the big race, and he carried my shirt.” “I--I b-beg your p-pardon, sir,” stammered the boy. The limit to his knowledge in the practical sciences had presented itself rather abruptly. “Lend me half-a-dollar, you cuckoo,” said Mr. Dodson sternly, “and don’t be so darnation polite.” “I--I b-beg your p-pardon, sir,” stammered the boy, “I--I d-don’t t-think I k-know what you mean.” The lady in the scarlet blouse regarded him with eyes of wonder. Mr. Dodson, however, still retained his self-possession in the presence of an unknowingness that transcended all that had previously come within his purview. “He comes of a rather good family,” said Mr. Dodson in an eloquent aside to the lady in the scarlet blouse. “Oh, does he?” said the lady in the scarlet blouse, opening her lazy eyes a little wider--“a gilt mug.” “What silver have you got about you, Luney?” said Mr. Dodson. This request was sufficiently intelligible to the boy to cause him to produce a collection of silver pieces which his father insisted on his carrying about with him. Mr. Dodson selected five shillings in a leisurely and impartial manner. “I’ll make it a dollar,” he said, “and mind, my son, that you don’t forget to ask me for it. I’ve got such a weak memory for small things that one of these days I shall forget to attend my own funeral.” Upon this utterance, which the boy was fain to consider as very remarkable, Mr. Dodson disbursed the sum of one shilling and sixpence to the lady in the scarlet blouse, and at the same time took the opportunity of transferring a dahlia, which approximated to the size of a small cauliflower, from his own person to the ample bosom of this already sufficiently gorgeous creature. “So long, Chrissie,” he said. “See you at the Tivoli at a quarter to nine.” With a great air, which the lesser luminaries of his circle were apt to interpret as swagger, Mr. Dodson made for the door. “Come on, Luney,” said he, “let me take you back to your governess.” This speech, delivered in a very audible manner, was not altogether for the guidance of Mr. William Jordan, Junior, but rather for that of two young gentlemen of a similar type to Mr. Dodson himself, who at that moment were entering the buffet. “’Ow are yer, Jimmy?” said one of these with a nod of easy familiarity.