The Cricketers' Arms
a striking resemblance to the portraits of the first Duke of Wellington. He was not a regular customer but, having dropped in casually about two o'clock, was beginning to show the effects of the drink he had taken.
As Crass and the others entered they were hailed with enthusiasm by the landlord and the Besotted Wretch, while the semi-drunk house painter regarded them with fishy eyes and stupid curiosity.
'Wot cheer, Bob!' said the landlord, affably, addressing Crass, and nodding familiarly to the others. ''Ow goes it?'
'All reet, me ole dear!' replied Crass, jovially. ''Ow's yerself?'
'AI.,' replied the 'old dear,' getting up from his chair in readiness to execute their orders.
'Well, wot's it to be?' enquired Philpot of the others.
'Mine's a pint o' beer,' said Crass.
'Half for me,' said Bundy.
'Half o' beer for me, too,' replied Easton.
'That's one pint, two 'arves, and a pint o' porter for meself,' said Philpot, turning and addressing the Old Dear.
While the landlord was serving these drinks the Besotted Wretch finished his beer and set the empty glass down on the counter, and Philpot observing this, said to him:
''Ave one along o' me?'
'I don't mind if I do,' replied the other.
When the drinks were served, Philpot, instead of paying for them, winked significantly at the landlord, who nodding silently and unobstrusively made an entry in an account book that was lying on one of the shelves. Although it was only Monday and he had been at work all the previous week, Philpot was already stoney broke. This was accounted for by the fact that on the Saturday he had paid his landlady something on account of the arrears of board and lodging money which had accumulated while he was out of work; and he had also paid the Old Dear four shillings for drinks obtained on tick during the last week.
'Well, 'ere's the skin orf yer nose,' said Crass, nodding to Philpot, and taking a long pull at the pint glass which the latter had handed to him.
Similar appropriate and friendly sentiments were expressed by the others and suitably acknowledged by Philpot, the founder of the feast.
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