At about eleven o'clock Mr Sweater arrived and began to walk over the house, followed by Crass, who carried a pot of paint and a small brush and made believe to be `touching up' and finishing off parts of the work.As Sweater went from one room to another Crass repeatedly placed himself in the way in the hope of being spoken to, but Sweater took no notice of him whatever.Once or twice Crass's heart began to beat quickly as he furtively watched the great man and saw him thrust his thumb and finger into his waistcoat pocket, but on each occasion Sweater withdrew his hand with nothing in it.After a while, observing that the gentleman was about to depart without having spoken, Crass determined to break the ice himself.
`It's a little better weather we're 'avin' now, sir.'
`Yes,' replied Sweater.
`I was beginnin' to be afraid as I shouldn't be hable to git heverything finished in time for you to move in before Christmas, sir,' Crass continued, `but it's hall done now, sir.'
Sweater made no reply.
`I've kept the fire agoin' in hall the rooms has you told me, sir,'
resumed Crass after a pause.`I think you'll find as the place is nice and dry, sir; the honly places as is a bit damp is the kitchen and scullery and the other rooms in the basement, sir, but of course that's nearly halways the case, sir, when the rooms is partly hunderground, sir.
`But of course it don't matter so much about the basement, sir, because it's honly the servants what 'as to use it, sir, and even down there it'll be hall right hin the summer, sir.'
One would scarcely think, from the contemptuous way in which he spoke of `servants' that Crass's own daughter was `in service', but such was the case.
`Oh, yes, there's no doubt about that,' replied Sweater as he moved towards the door; `there's no doubt it will be dry enough in the summer.Good morning.'
`Good morning to YOU, sir,' said Crass, following him.`I 'opes as you're pleased with all the work, sir; everything satisfactory, sir.'
`Oh, yes.I think it looks very nice; very nice indeed; I'm very pleased with it,' said Sweater affably.`Good morning.'
`Good morning, sir,' replied the foreman with a sickly smile as Sweater departed.
When the other was gone, Crass sat down dejectedly on the bottom step of the stairs, overwhelmed with the ruin of his hopes and expectations.He tried to comfort himself with the reflection that all hope was not lost, because he would have to come to the house again on Monday and Tuesday to fix the venetian blinds; but all the same he could not help thinking that it was only a very faint hope, for he felt that if Sweater had intended giving anything he would have done so today; and it was very improbable that he would see Sweater on Monday or Tuesday at all, for the latter did not usually visit the job in the early part of the week.However, Crass made up his mind to hope for the best, and, pulling himself together, he presently returned to the kitchen, where he found Slyme and Sawkins waiting for him.He had not mentioned his hopes of a tip to either of them, but they did not need any telling and they were both determined to have their share of whatever he got.They eyed him keenly as he entered.
`What did 'e give yer?' demanded Sawkins, going straight to the point.
`Give me?' replied Crass.`Nothing!'
Slyme laughed in a sneering, incredulous way, but Sawkins was inclined to be abusive.He averred that he had been watching Crass and Sweater and had seen the latter put his thumb and finger into his waistcoat pocket as he walked into the dining-room, followed by Crass.It took the latter a long time to convince his two workmates of the truth of his own account, but he succeeded at last, and they all three agreed that Old Sweater was a sanguinary rotter, and they lamented over the decay of the good old-fashioned customs.
`Why, at one time o' day,' said Crass, `only a few years ago, if you went to a gentleman's 'ouse to paint one or two rooms you could always be sure of a bob or two when you'd finished.'
By half past twelve everything was squared up, and, having loaded up the hand-cart with all that remained of the materials, dirty paint-pots and plant, they all set out together for the yard, to put all the things away before going to the office for their money.
Sawkins took the handle of the cart, Slyme and Crass walked at one side and Owen and Bert at the other.There was no need to push, for the road was downhill most of the way; so much so that they had all to help to hold back the cart, which travelled so rapidly that Bert found it difficult to keep pace with the others and frequently broke into a trot to recover lost ground, and Crass - being fleshy and bloated with beer, besides being unused to much exertion - began to perspire and soon appealed to the others not to let it go so fast - there was no need to get done before one o'clock.
