and would not let him get up. Diamond endeavoured to persuade him,
and was very civil, but he would have his fun out of him,
as he said. In a few minutes a group of idle boys had assembled,
and Diamond found himself in a very uncomfortable position.
Another cab drew up at the stand, and the driver got off and approached
the assemblage.

"What's up here?" he asked, and Diamond knew the voice. It was
that of the drunken cabman.

"Do you see this young oyster? He pretends to drive a cab,"
said his enemy.

"Yes, I do see him. And I sees you too. You'd better leave him alone.
He ain't no oyster. He's a angel come down on his own business.
You be off, or I'll be nearer you than quite agreeable."

The drunken cabman was a tall, stout man, who did not look one
to take liberties with.

"Oh! if he's a friend of yours," said the other, drawing back.

Diamond got out the nose-bag again. Old Diamond should have his
feed out now.

"Yes, he is a friend o' mine. One o' the best I ever had.
It's a pity he ain't a friend o' yourn. You'd be the better for it,
but it ain't no fault of hisn."

When Diamond went home at night, he carried with him one pound