human
How do you know he keeps his money there?
gpt
Never you mind, was the answer;
human
I does know it to a sartinty.
gpt
Where does the old man live?
human
No. 86 ---- Street.
gpt
What's his name?
human
Jerry Starcher. Ain't yer 'eard o' 'im?
gpt
Ay,
human
Then you'll 'elp?
gpt
Ay, said Benny,
human
What does yer mean?
gpt
I mean, if I git out of this place, I'll put the old man on his guard.
human
What, an' split on me?
gpt
No, I'll not mention names.
human
Then I 'opes ye'll be sent to a 'formatory an' kep' there for the next five year.
gpt
Do you? Why?
human
How so?
gpt
Well, your saying so don't make it so, anyhow,
human
Don't it, though? But look 'ere: ye're 'ere for stealin', and I can tell yer from 'sperience, that a gent as takes up the perfession is worse nor a fool to give it up agin 'cause he 'appens to get nabbed.
gpt
But I'm not here for stealin',
human
Ye're not, eh? said Perks, laughing till the tears ran down his face.
gpt
Well, that are the richest bit I's heard for the last month.
human
But, said Benny, with flashing eyes,
gpt
Are that a fact now, Ben?
human
It is, replied Benny;
gpt
I never took the money.
human
Well, so much the worse,
gpt
How's that?
human
Cause yer might as well be a thief, hout an' hout, as be charged wi' bein' one. I tell 'e there's no chance for yer; the bobbies'll 'ave their eyes on yer wherever yer be; and if yer gits a sitivation they'll come along an' say to yer guv'nor, 'Yon's a jail-bird, yer'd better 'ave yer eye on 'im;' then ye'll 'ave to walk it somewheres else, an' it'll be the same everywheres.
gpt
How do you know that?
human
was the reply.
gpt
I's older 'n you, though you's biggest; but I reckons as I knows most, an' it's true what I say. Why, bless yer, the first time I ever nabbed I got a month, an' I wor so horful frightened, that I vowed if ever I got out I'd be honest, an' never get in no more; but, bless yer, it wur no go. The bobbies told each other who I wur, an' they was always a-watching me. I got a sitivation once, a honcommon good 'un too; but, oh, lor, the next day a bobby says to the guv'nor, says he, 'Yon's a jail-bird, you'd better keep yer eye on 'im;' an' you may guess I'd to walk in quick sticks. I made two or three tries arter, but it wur no go. As soon as hever a bobbie came near I'd to be off like greased lightnin', an' you'll find out what I say. If yer not a thief now, ye'll 'ave to come to it. I tell yer there's no help for it.
human
But I tell you I'll _not_ come to it,
gpt
But I knows better, persisted Perks;