"
Sarah looked at her, and then, unable to resist the temptation, she
continued her narrative--Bill had said this, she had said that. She
rattled on, until they came to the corner of Old Compton Street. Esther,
who was a little tired of her, held out her hand. "I suppose you must be
getting back; would you like a drop of something?"
"It is going on for seven o'clock; but since you're that kind I think I'd
like a glass of beer."
"Do you listen much to the betting talk here of an evening?" Sarah asked,
as she was leaving.
"I don't pay much attention, but I can't help hearing a good deal."
"Do they talk much about Ben Jonson for the Cesarewitch?"
"They do, indeed; he's all the go."
Sarah's face brightened perceptibly, and Esther said--
"Have you backed him?'
"Only a trifle; half-a-crown that a friend put me on. Do they say he'll
win?"
"They say that if he don't break down he'll win by 'alf a mile; it all
depends on his leg."
"Is he coming on in the betting?"
"Yes, I believe they're now taking 12 to 1 about him. But I'll ask
William, if you like."
"No, no, I only wanted to know if you'd heard anything new."
XXXVIII
During the next fortnight Sarah came several times to the "King's Head."
She came in about nine in the evening, and stayed for half-an-hour or
more.
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