| "'Ittin' of them over the 'ead with a pole is one... 861 |
[Jan. 28th, 2010|02:18 am] |
"'Ittin' of them over the 'ead with a pole is one wayScratchin' of their ears in another, when gents as is flush wants a bit of a show-orf to their galsI don't so much mind the fust, the 'ittin of the pole part afore I chucks in their dinner, but I waits till they've 'ad their sherry and kawffee, so to speak, afore I tries on with the ear scratchin'Mind you," he added philosophically, "there's a deal of the same nature in us as in them theer animilesHere's you a-comin' and arskin' of me questions about my business, and I that grump-like that only for your bloomin' 'arf-quid I'd 'a' seen you blowed fust 'fore I'd answerNot even when you arsked me sarcastic like if I'd like you to arsk the Superintendent if you might arsk me questionsWithout offence did I tell yer to go to 'ell?"
"You did
"An' when you said you'd report me for usin' obscene language that was 'ittin' me over the 'eadBut the 'arf-quid made that all rightI weren't a-goin' to fight, so I waited for the food, and did with my 'owl as the wolves and lions and tigers doesBut, lor' love yer 'art, now that the old 'ooman has stuck a chunk of her tea-cake in me, an' rinsed me out with her bloomin' old teapot, and I've lit hup, you may scratch my ears for all you're worth, and won't even get a growl out of meDrive along with your questionsI know what yer a-comin' at, that 'ere escaped wolfI want you to give me your view of itJust tell me how it happened, and when I know the facts I'll get you to say what you consider was the cause of it, and how you think the whole affair will end
"All right, guv'norThis 'ere is about the 'ole storyThat 'ere wolf what we called Bersicker was one of three gray ones that came from Norway to Jamrach's, which we bought off him four years agoHe was a nice well-behaved wolf, that never gave no trouble to talk ofI'm more surprised at 'im for wantin' to get out nor any other animile in the placeBut, there, you can't trust wolves no more nor women
"Don't you mind him, Sir!" broke in MrsTom, with a cheery laugh"'E's got mindin' the animiles so long that blest if he ain't like a old wolf 'isself! But there ain't no 'arm in 'im
"Well, Sir, it was about two hours after feedin' yesterday when I first hear my disturbanceI was makin' up a litter in the monkey house for a young puma which is illBut when I heard the yelpin' and 'owlin' I kem away straightThere was Bersicker a-tearin' like a mad thing at the bars as if he wanted to get outThere wasn't much people about that day, and close at hand was only one man, a tall, thin chap, with a 'ook nose and a pointed beard, with a few white hairs runnin' through itHe had a 'ard, cold look and red eyes, and I took a sort of mislike to him, for it seemed as if it was 'im as they was hirritated atHe 'ad white kid gloves on 'is 'ands, and he pointed out the animiles to me and says, 'Keeper, these wolves seem upset at something'
"'Maybe it's you,' says I, for I did not like the airs as he give 'isselfHe didn't get angry, as I 'oped he would, but he smiled a kind of insolent smile, with a mouth full of white, sharp teeth'Oh no, they wouldn't like me,' 'e says
"'Ow yes, they would,' says I, a-imitatin' of him'They always like a bone or two to clean their teeth on about tea time, which you 'as a bagful'
"Well, it was a odd thing, but when the animiles see us a-talkin' they lay down, and when I went over to Bersicker he let me stroke his ears same as everThat there man kem over, and blessed but if he didn't put in his hand and stroke the old wolf's ears too!
"'Tyke care,' says I'
"'Never mind,' he saysI'm used to 'em!'
"'Are you in the business yourself?' I says, tyking off my 'at, for a man what trades in wolves, anceterer, is a good friend to |
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