第62章

"Well,I never!"she cried."The sly brute!Looked at me like a 'uman being,an'then tried to eat me,which I could never understand people preachin'about kindness to dumb animals,an''orses takin'a delight in runnin'over people in the street every day.""It's because they've got relations that makes 'em thankful animals are dumb,"said Chook.

"Meaning me?"cried Mrs Partridge,smelling an insult.

"You?"said Chook,affecting surprise."I niver mind yous talkin'.It goes in one ear an'out of the other."Mrs Partridge bounced out of the shop in a rage,but next day she came back to tell Pinkey that she had found the very house in Surry Hills for a shilling a week less rent.She stayed long enough to frighten the life out of Pinkey by telling her that she had heard that Jack Ryan was well rid of the horse,because it had a habit of bolting and breaking the driver's neck.Chook found Pinkey trembling for his safety,and determined to put a stop to these annoyances.He disappeared for a whole day,and when Pinkey wanted to know where he had been,he told her to wait and see.They nearly quarrelled.But the next morning he gave her a surprise.After breakfast he announced that he was going to take her to the Druids'picnic in his own cart,and that Mrs Partridge had consented to mind the shop in their absence.

When Chook asked Mrs Partridge to mind the shop for the day,she jumped at the idea.She felt that she had a gift for business which she had wasted by not marrying the greengrocer;and now,with the shop to herself,she would show them how to deal with the customers,and find time in between to run her eye through Pinkey's boxes.She,too,would have a holiday after her own heart.She decided to wear her best skirt and blouse,to keep the customers in their place and remind them that she was independent of their favours.She found everything ready on her arrival.The price of every vegetable was freshly painted on the window by Chook in white letters,and there were five shillings in small change in the till.Lunch was set for her on the kitchen table,a sight to make the mouth water,for Chook,remembering the days of his courting,had ransacked the ham-and-beef shop for dainties--sheep's trotters,brawn,pig's cheek,ham-and-chicken sausage,and a bottle of mixed pickles.Nothing was wanting.As Chook drove off with Pinkey,she waved her hand to them,and then,surveying the street with the air of a proprietor,entered the shop and took possession.

They were going to Sir Joseph Banks's for the picnic;but,to Pinkey's surprise,the cart turned into Botany Street and pulled up in front of Sarah's cottage.

"Wotcher stoppin''ere for?"she inquired.

"'Cause we're goin'ter git out,"said Chook,with a grin.

"Git out?Wot for?There's nobody at 'ome,Dad's at work.""I know;that's w'y I came,"said Chook,tying the reins to the seat.

"Git down,Liz;yer've got a 'ard day in front of yer.""'Ard day?Wotcher mean?"cried Pinkey,suspiciously.

"We're goin'ter move Sarah's furniture to the new 'ouse she found in Surry Hills,"replied Chook.

"She never took no 'ouse,"said Pinkey.

"No,I took it yesterday in 'er name,"said Chook,grinning at Pinkey's perplexed frown."I wanted ter give 'er a pleasant surprise fer 'er birthday.""Wot about the picnic?"exclaimed Pinkey,suddenly.

"There ain't no picnic,"said Chook."It's next Monday;the date must 'ave slipped me mind.""An'yer mean ter move 'er furniture in without 'er knowin'?""That's the dart,"said Chook,with a vicious smile."If Sarah's tongue don't git a change of air,I'll git three months fer murder.So 'urry up,Liz,an'put this apron over yer skirt."The impudence of Chook's plan took her breath away,but when he insisted that there was no other way of getting rid of Mrs Partridge,she consented,with the feeling that she was taking part in a burglary.Chook took the key from under the flower-pot and went in.They found the place like a pigsty,for in the excitement of dressing for her day behind the counter,Sarah had wasted no time in making the bed or washing up,and Pinkey,trained under the watchful eye of Chook's mother,stood aghast.She declared that nothing could be done till that mess was cleared away,and tucked up her sleeves.

The appearance of the cart had roused the neighbours'curiosity,and Chook engaged them in conversation over the back fence.He explained that Mrs Partridge had begged him to come down and move her furniture while she minded the shop.There was a general sigh of relief.Nothing had escaped her eye or tongue.Mrs King,who was supposed to be temperance,did wonders with the bottle under her apron,but was caught.Then she found out that Mrs Robinson's brother,who was supposed to be doing well in the country,was really doin'seven years.Chook refused half a dozen offers of help before Pinkey had finished washing up.

As Chook lacked the professional skill of Jimmy the van-man,Pinkey was obliged to make two loads of the furniture;but by twelve o'clock the last stick was on the cart,and Pinkey,sitting beside her husband on a plank,carried the kerosene lamp in her lap to prevent breakage.By sunset everything was in its place,and Chook and Pinkey,aching in every joint,locked the door and drove home.