Hes took a fancy to you, Sam, ses Ginger.
Sam pushed the dog off on to the floor and wiped his face.
Hes a good dog, by the look of im, ses Peter Russet, who was country bred.
He bought a sausage-roll, and him and the dog ate it between em. Then Ginger Dick bought one and gave it to im, and by the time it was finished the dog didnt seem to know which one of em he loved the most.
Wonder who he belongs to? ses Ginger. Is there any name on the collar, Peter?
Peter shook his ead. Its a good collar, though, he ses. I wonder whether hes been and lost imself?
Old Sam, wot was always on the look-out for money, put his beer down and wiped is mouth. There might be a reward out for im, he ses. I think Ill take care of im for a day or two, in case.
Well all take care of im, ses Ginger; and if theres a reward well go shares. Mind that!
I found im, ses Sam, very disagreeable. He came up to me as if hed known me all is life.
No, ses Ginger. Dont you flatter yourself. He came up to you because he didnt know you, Sam.
If he ad, hed ha bit your and, ses Peter Russet.
Instead o washing it, ses Ginger.
Go on! ses Sam, olding his breath with passion. Go on!
Peter opened is mouth, but just then another man came into the bar, and, arter ordering is drink, turned round and patted the dogs ead.
Thats a good dog; ow old is he? he ses to Ginger.
Two years last April, ses Ginger, without moving a eyelid.
Fifth of April, ses old Sam, very quick and fierce.
At two oclock in the morning, ses Peter.
The man took up is beer and looked at em; then e took a drink and looked at em again. Arter which he ad another look at the dog.
I could see e was very valuable, he ses. I see that the moment I set eyes on im. Mind you dont get im stole.
He finished up is beer and went out; and he ad ardly gone afore Ginger took a piece o thick string out of is pocket and fastened it to the dogs collar.
Make yourself at ome, Ginger, ses Sam, very nasty.
Im going to, ses Ginger. That chap knows something about dogs, and, if we cant get a reward for im, praps we can sell im.
They ad another arf-pint each, and then, Ginger taking old of the string, they went out into the street.
Nine oclock, ses Peter. Its no good going ome yet, Ginger.
We can ave a glass or two on the way, ses Ginger; but I shant feel comfortable in my mind till weve got the dog safe ome. Praps the people wot ave lost it are looking for it now.
They ad another drink farther on, and a man in the bar took such a fancy to the dog that e offered Ginger five shillings for it and drinks round.
That shows ow valuable it is, ses Peter Russet when they got outside. Hold that string tight, Ginger. Wots the matter?
He wont come, ses Ginger, tugging at the string. Come on, old chap! Good dog! Come on!
He stood there pulling at the dog, wot was sitting down and being dragged along on its stummick. He didnt know its name, but e called it a few things that seemed to ease is mind, and then he anded over the string to Sam, wot ad been asking for it, and told im to see wot he could do.