The kid was
laid up for months and he came out of it all twisted up--just as you
see 'im now. Well, Dick never got mad at anybody after that. He wery
properly swore he'd take care of Ernie and try to make up for wot he'd
done to 'im. He said he'd beg or steal or kill if he 'ad to, to
provide for 'im. He's never 'ad to beg or kill, I'm thankful to say.
So, you see, he ain't altogether to blame for 'is occupation. Ernie's
a miser. He wouldn't be satisfied with 'arf of a decent man's wages,
if Dick minded to go to honest work; he must have 'arf of all Dick can
steal, and he sets up a 'orrible rumpus if Dick don't make some good
pulls. Ernie's excuse for 'is greediness is this: he says he wants to
'ave plenty to fall back on if Dick 'appens to get a long term in the
pen. Who's going to support 'im, says he, while Dick's doing time? Wot
do you think of that for brotherly love?"
"It's unbelievable!"
"He curses Dick in one breath and sweeties 'im in the next," went on
Joey. "Wheedles 'im, don't you see. Once Dick was in the jug for two
months. Ernie wanted to kill 'im afore he got out, he was that enraged
at 'im for being so inconsiderate as to get caught.
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