He followed them into the small and untidy back parlour, and being requested by his hostess to squeeze in next to 'Melia at the small round table, complied so literally with the order that that young lady complained bitterly of his encroachments.
"And where do you think of sleeping to-night ?" inquired Mr.Kybird after his daughter had, to use her own expressive phrase, shown the guest "his place." Mr.Nugent shook his head.

"I shall get a lodging somewhere," he said, airily.
"There's a room upstairs as you might 'ave if you liked," said Mr.Kybird, slowly.

"It's been let to a very respectable, clean young man for half a crown a week.

Really it ought to be three shillings, but if you like to 'ave it at the old price, you can." "Done with you," said the other.
"No doubt you'll soon get something to do," continued Mr.Kybird, more in answer to his wife's inquiring glances than anything else.

"Half a crown every Saturday and the room's yours." Mr.Nugent thanked him, and after making a tea which caused Mr.Kybird to congratulate himself upon the fact that he hadn't offered to board him, sat regaling Mrs.Kybird and daughter with a recital of his adventures in Australia, receiving in return a full and true account of Sunwich and its people up to date.
"There's no pride about 'im, that's what I like," said Mrs.Kybird to her lord and master as they sat alone after closing time over a glass of gin and water.