The Guardian Angel

by W. W. Jacobs

up to listen and got punched for 'istrouble.

  "They both said they'd get a ship next morning, and then old Sam turnedround and wouldn't 'ear of it. The airs he gave 'imself was awful. Hesaid he'd tell 'em when they was to get a ship, and if they went and didthings without asking 'im he'd let 'em starve.

  "He kept 'em with 'im all that day for fear of losing 'em and having togive 'em their money when 'e met 'em agin instead of spending it on 'emand getting praised for it. They 'ad their dinner with 'im at Brown's,and nothing they could do pleased him. He spoke to Peter Russet out loudabout making a noise while he was eating, and directly arterwards he toldGinger to use his pocket 'ankercher. Pore Ginger sat there looking at'im and swelling and swelling until he nearly bust, and Sam told 'im ifhe couldn't keep 'is temper when people was trying to do 'im a kindnesshe'd better go and get somebody else to keep him.

  "He took 'em to a music-'all that night, but he spoilt it all for 'em bytaking 'em into the little public-'ouse in Whitechapel Road fust andstanding 'em a drink. He told the barmaid 'e was keeping 'em till theycould find a job, and arter she 'ad told him he was too soft-'arted andwould only be took advantage of, she brought another barmaid up to lookat 'em and ask 'em wot they could do, and why they didn't do it.

  "Sam served 'em like that for over a week, and he 'ad so much praise fromMr. Brown and other people that it nearly turned his 'ead. For once inhis life he 'ad it pretty near all 'is own way. Twice Ginger Dickslipped off and tried to get a ship and came back sulky and hungry, andonce Peter Russet sprained his thumb trying to get a job at the docks.

  "They gave it up then and kept to Sam like a couple o' shadders, onlygiving 'im back-answers when they felt as if something 'ud give wayinside if they didn't. For the fust time in their lives they began tocount the days till their boat was ready for sea. Then somethinghappened.

  "They was all coming 'ome late one night along the Minories, when GingerDick gave a shout and, suddenly bolting up a little street arter a manthat 'ad turned up there, fust of all sent 'im flying with a heavy punchof 'is fist, and then knelt on 'im.

  "'Now then Ginger,' ses Sam bustling up with Peter Russet, 'wot's allthis? Wot yer doing?'

  "'It's the thief,' ses Ginger. 'It's our lodger. You keep still!' heses shaking the man. 'D'ye hear?'

  "Peter gave a shout of joy, and stood by to help.

  "'Nonsense!' ses old Sam, turning pale. 'You've been drinking, Ginger.This comes of standing you 'arf-pints.'

  "'It's him right enough,' ses Ginger. 'I'd know 'is ugly face anywhere.'

  "'You come off 'ome at once,' ses Sam, very sharp, but his voicetrembling. 'At once. D'ye hear me?'

  "'Fetch a policeman, Peter,' ses Ginger.

  "'Let the pore feller go, I tell you,' ses Sam, stamping his foot. ''Owwould you like to be locked up? 'Ow would you like to be torn away fromyour wife and little ones? 'Ow would you--'

  "'Fetch a policeman, Peter,' ses Ginger agin. 'D'ye hear?'

  "'Don't do that, guv'nor,' ses the lodger. 'You got your money back.Wot's the good o' putting me away?'

  "'Got our wot back?' ses Ginger, shaking 'im agin. 'Don't you try and befunny with me, else I'll tear you into little pieces.'

  "'But he took it back,' ses the man, trying to sit up and pointing atSam. 'He follered me downstairs and took it all away from me. Yourticker as well.'

  "'Wot?' ses Ginger and Peter both together.

  "Strue as I'm 'ere,' ses the lodger. 'You turn 'is pockets out and see.Look out! He's going off!'

  "Ginger turned his 'ead just in time to see old Sam nipping round thecorner. He pulled the lodger up like a flash, and, telling Peter to takehold of the other side of him, they set off arter Sam.

  "'Little-joke-o' mine-Ginger,' ses Sam, when they caught 'im. 'I wasgoing to tell you about it to-night. It ain't often I get the chance ofa joke agin you Ginger; you're too sharp for a old man like me.'

  "Ginger Dick didn't say anything. He kept 'old o' Sam's arm with onehand and the lodger's neck with the other, and marched 'em off to hislodgings.

  "He shut the door when 'e got in, and arter Peter 'ad lit the candle theytook hold o' Sam and went through 'im, and arter trying to find pocketswhere he 'adn't got any, they took off 'is belt and found Ginger's watch,seventeen pounds five shillings, and a few coppers.

  "'We 'ad over nine quid each, me and Peter,' ses Ginger. 'Where's therest?'

  "'It's all I've got left,' ses Sam; 'every ha'penny.'

  "He 'ad to undress and even take 'is boots off afore they'd believe 'im,and then Ginger took 'is watch and he ses to Peter, 'Lemme see; 'arf ofseventeen pounds is eight pounds ten; 'arf of five shillings is 'arf-a-crown; and 'arf of fourpence is twopence.'

  "'What about me Ginger old pal?' ses Sam, in a kind voice. 'We mustdivide it into threes.'

  "'Threes?' ses Ginger, staring at'im. 'Whaffor?'

  "''Cos part of it's mine,' ses Sam, struggling 'ard to be perlite. 'I'vepaid for everything for the last ten days, ain't I?'

  "'Yes,' ses Ginger. 'You 'ave, and I thank you for it.'

  "'So do I,' ses Peter Russet. 'Hearty I do.'

  "'It was your kind-'artedness,' ses Ginger, grinning like mad. 'You gaveit to us, and we wouldn't dream of giving it to you back.'

  "'Nothin' o' the kind,' ses Sam, choking.

  "'Oh, yes you did,' ses Ginger, 'and you didn't forget to tell peopleneither. You told everybody. Now it's our turn.'

  "He opened the door and kicked the lodger out. Leastways, he would 'avekicked 'im, but the chap was too quick for 'im. And then 'e came back,and, putting his arm round Peter's waist, danced a waltz round the roomwith 'im, while pore old Sam got on to his bed to be out of the way.They danced for nearly 'arf-an-hour, and then they undressed and sat onPeter's bed and talked. They talked in whispers at fust, but at last Sam'eard Peter say:--

  "'Threepence for 'is brekfuss; sevenpence for 'is dinner; threepence for'is tea; penny for beer and a penny for bacca. 'Ow much is that,Ginger?'

  "'One bob,' ses Ginger.

  "Peter counted up to 'imself. 'I make it more than that, old pal,' heses, when he 'ad finished.

  "'Do you?' ses Ginger, getting up. 'Well, he won't; not if he counts ittwenty times over he won't. Good-night, Peter. 'Appy dreams.'"