"He was up agin in about ten minutes, with a clean collar and a clean
face, and a blue neck-tie that looked as though it 'ad got yeller
measles. Good temper 'e was in, too, and arter pulling the office-boy's
ear, gentle, as 'e was passing, he stopped for a moment to 'ave a word
with 'im.
"'Bit late, ain't you?' he ses.
"'I've been keeping a eye on the watchman,' ses the boy. 'He works
better when 'e knows there's somebody watching 'im.'
"'Look 'ere!' I ses. 'You take yourself off; I've had about enough of
you. You take your little face 'ome and ask your mother to wipe its
nose. Strickly speaking, you've no right to be on the wharf at all at
this time.'
"'I've as much right as other people,' he ses, giving me a wicked look.
'I've got more right than some people, p'r'aps.'
"He stooped down deliberate and, picking up a bit o' coke from the 'eap
by the crane, pitched it over at the empties.
"'Stop that!' I ses, shouting at 'im.
"'What for?' 'e ses, shying another piece. 'Why shouldn't I?'
"'Cos I won't 'ave it,' I ses. 'D'ye hear? Stop it!'
"I rushed at 'im as he sent another piece over, and for the next two or
three minutes 'e was dodging me and chucking coke at the empties, with
the fool of a skipper standing by laughing, and two or three of the crew
leaning over the side and cheering 'im on.
"'All right,' he ses, at last, dusting 'is hands together. 'I've
finished.
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