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"Are you tired?"

"'Course I'm tired"

"Then why not sit down and rest?"

"Because I'd 'ave to get up again, wouldn't I?"

"Are you hungry?

"'Ungry aren't the word for it"

"And how is trade?"

"Couldn't be worse!"

"I perceive you are a pessimist," said I

"No," said he, "I'm a pedler--baptism'l name Richard, commonly

known as 'Gabbin' Dick'"

"At least yours is a fine healthy trade," said I

"'Ow so?"

"A life of constant exercise, and fresh air; to-day for

instance--"

"'Ot as a hoven!" said he

"Yet there was a good, cool wind," said I

"Ah! an' with dust enough to choke a man! And then there's the

loneliness o' these 'ere roads"

"Loneliness?" said I

"That's the word; soets so bad as I'm minded to do

ai' myself--"