§ 334 No Trouble to Show Goods
Holbrook Blinn, the actor, was playing an engagement in London several years ago. One afternoon he went out to Epsom Downs for the racing. In the crush at the paddock he was addressed by a Cockney of a slinky appearance:
“Sye, Guv’ner,” said the stranger, “wouldn’t you like to buy a diamond scarf-pin hat a bargain?”
Blinn shook his head and started to move off, but the importuning stranger detained him:
“Wyte a bit please, Guv’ner,” he pleaded, in an eager half-whisper; “don’t go yet, you’ll never get another chance like this. Hy pledge you me word of ’onor you won’t regret it if you buys this ’ere pin. Pure w’ite stone and a nobby settin’. Worth twenty quid, if hit’s worth a penny. And yours for four pound cash.”
Interested in spite of himself by the insistent one’s eloquence, Blinn said:
“Well, let me have a look at it.”
“Hi ain’t got it wiv me—yet. But I can give you a look hat it.”
“How can you give me a look at it if you aren’t carrying it with you?” asked the puzzled American.
“Turn your ’ead slow, Guv’ner,” said the Cockney, dropping his voice. “See that fat bloke yonder wiv the gray coat on?” He pointed a cautious finger and sank his voice still lower. “Hit’s in ’is necktie.”