For my part, I'm sick of listening to you about it every damn day.' 'It's all very well for you to say I needn't drink it,' answered Sawkins, 'but I've paid my share an' I've got a right to express an opinion.

It's my belief that 'arf the money we gives 'him is spent on penny 'orribles: 'e's always got one in 'is hand, an' to make wot tea 'e does buy last, 'e collects all the slops wot's left and biles it up day after day.' 'No, I don't!' said Bert, who was on the verge of tears.

'It's not me wot buys the things at all.

I gives the money I gets to Crass, and 'e buys them 'imself, so there!' At this revelation, some of the men furtively exchanged significant glances, and Crass, the foreman, became very red.
'You'd better keep your bloody thruppence and make your own tea after this week,' he said, addressing Sawkins, 'and then p'raps we'll 'ave a little peace at meal-times.' 'An' you needn't ask me to cook no bloaters or bacon for you no more,' added Bert, tearfully, 'cos I won't do it.' Sawkins was not popular with any of the others.

When, about twelve months previously, he first came to work for Rushton & Co., he was a simple labourer, but since then he had 'picked up' a slight knowledge of the trade, and having armed himself with a putty-knife and put on a white jacket, regarded himself as a fully qualified painter.