Dutch the Diver; Or, A Man's Mistake
Page 54
STORY THREE, CHAPTER SIX.
HARD-HEARTED.
Time glided on.
"You've come again, then?" said Keziah Bay.
"Yes, I've come again," said Mr Peter Pash. "Trade's very brisk,Keziah."
"Is it?" said that lady, in the most indifferent of tones.
"Yes, things are looking up well," said Mr Pash, "and my lodger hasdropped dips and taken to composites. You know what that means, ofcourse."
"Not I," said Keziah indifferently. "I don't trouble my head about suchthings."
"You're always a-snubbing me, Keziah," said the little man dolefully."It's no good for me to try and please you."
"Not a bit," said Keziah with a smile. "You ought to know better thanto come wherrittin' me when there's so much trouble in the house."
"But it ain't our trouble," said Peter Pash. "Why, if I was to makemyself unhappy about other folks' candles, where should I be? Now, Isay, Keziah dear, when's it to be?"
"Once for all, I tell you," said Keziah, "that until I see poor Miss Mayhappily settled, I won't bother about that nonsense; so you may holdyour tongue, for I can see what you mean."
Peter Pash gave a great groan of despair, but the next minute he waspatiently submitting to a severe cross-examination concerning the habitsand customs of his lodger Frank Marr.
"He's no good, Peter," said Keziah at last, "and the sooner you get ridof him the better."
"But he pays his rent very regular," said Peter, "and that's aconsideration, you know. And he's a good son, and pays no end ofattention to his mother. And I say, Keziah, dear, I've seen Mr Brough,and I ain't a bit jealous now."
Keziah snorted.
"He's been to my place twice to see Mr Marr, and they're the best offriends, and he tells me it was only his fun, and Mr Marr don't seem tomind a bit. And I say, Keziah dear, now that Miss May is really goingto get married and settled, sha'n't we make it right now?"
"Now I tell you what it is, young man," said Keziah fiercely, "I hatethe very name of marrying, and if you say another word to me about itI'll never have you at all. When I want to be married I'll ask you, andnot before, so now be off."
"But will you want to some day?" said Peter pitifully.
"Perhaps I shall, and perhaps I sha'n't; I'm seeing enough of it tosatisfy me, so I tell you."
Peter groaned.
"Now don't make that noise here," cried Keziah snappishly. "If youcan't behave yourself, you'd better go."
"I won't do so any more, dear," said Peter softly. "How's poor dearMiss May?"
"O, don't ask me--poor lamb!" cried Keziah.
"It is to be, isn't it?" said Peter.
"To be! Yes. They've talked her into it, now that your fine Mr Marrhas proved himself such a good-for-nothing. It's to be, sure enough,and I wish them all joy of what they've done. They're killing herbetween them, and then they'll be happy. Get married! There, don'tdrive me wild, Peter Pash, but be off out of my sight, for I hate thevery sound of the word, and don't you come here any more till I askyou."
Peter Pash groaned; and then rising he departed in a very disconsolatestate of mind, for he considered himself to be far more worthy of pitythan May Richards.