noisy crash that jerked every head in their direction as if pulled by
strings.

"I can pay fer wot I eat," he cried. "Come on, Liz."

The others had sprung to their feet, astonished at this prodigal waste
of a delicacy fit for kings. Chook stood for a moment, glowering with
rage, and then ran at his enemy; but Pinkey jumped between them.

"You do!--you do!" she cried, pushing him away with the desperate valour
of a hen defending her chickens.

"Orl right, not till next time," said Chook, smiling grimly.

She pulled Stinky by the arm, and they disappeared in the crowd.

"It's all right, missis; I'll pay fer the glass," said Chook to the
dealer, who began to jabber excitedly in Italian. The woman began to
scrape the pieces of broken glass together, and the sight reminded Chook
of the insult. His face darkened.

"Cum on, blokes, an' see a bit o' fun," he cried with a mirthless grin
that showed he was dangerously excited. The three larrikins caught up
with Stinky and the girl as they were crossing into Belmore Park. Stinky
was explaining to some sympathizers the events that had led up to the
quarrel.

"Wot would yous do if a bloke tried to sneak yer moll?" he inquired
in an injured tone.