The altercation continued right to the disappearance of the last lumps of coal from the very last sack.
Mick and Dickie, both now black with coal dust, set about shaking the last chips into the hole and unshipping the device. The shrill accusations continued, but were now running out of steam, and were finally cut off by Jack offering, “Me mates’ll come down an’ ’elp clean up, Missus. Jus’ let ’em stow t’ gear, an’ they’ll be down.”
For a moment, the cook and housekeeper looked as if they’d have an apoplexy.
“Not in MY kitchen,” screeched the cook. “Look at yez!”
“Yer’ve not ’eard t’ last o’ this!” shrilled the housekeeper. “Not by a long chalk!”
She followed the cook down the stairs, cuffing one of the boys dressed as a maid, who was slow to step aside.
Jack chuckled as he helped se
