"He
don't mean no 'arm," said one of the friends; "he'll come round to-morrow
and apologise for what he's said."
"I don't want his apology," said William. "No one shall call me a welsher
in my bar.... Take your friend away, and never let me see him in my bar
again."
Suddenly William turned very pale. He was seized with a fit of coughing,
and this great strong man leaned over the counter very weak indeed. Esther
led him into the parlour, leaving Charles to attend to the customers. His
hand trembled like a leaf, and she sat by his side holding it. Mr. Blamy
came in to ask if he should lay one of the young gentlemen from the
tutor's thirty shillings to ten against the favourite. Esther said that
William could attend to no more customers that day. Mr. Blamy returned ten
minutes after to say that there was quite a number of people in the bar;
should he refuse to take their money?
"Do you know them all?" said William.
"I think so, guv'nor."
"Be careful to bet with no one you don't know; but I'm so bad I can hardly
speak."
"Much better send them away," said Esther.
"Then they'll go somewhere else."
"It won't matter; they'll come back to where they're sure of their money."
"I'm not so sure of that," William answered, feebly. "I think it will be
all right, Teddy; you'll be very careful.
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