Night Watches | Page 3

there is no legal obligation, they
made several of them a present of a few pounds, so that they could go
away for a little change, or anything of that sort, to quiet their nerves."
Mr. Scutts, who had been listening with closed eyes, opened them
languidly and said, "Oh."
"I gave one gentleman twen-ty pounds!" said the visitor, jingling some
coins in his trouser-pocket. "I never saw a man so pleased and grateful
in my life. When he signed the receipt for it--I always get them to sign
a receipt, so that the company can see that I haven't kept the money for
myself--he nearly wept with joy."
"I should think he would," said Mr. Scutts, slowly--"if he wasn't hurt."
"You're the last on my list," said the other, hastily. He produced a slip
of paper from his pocket-book and placed it on the small table, with a
fountain pen. Then, with a smile that was both tender and playful, he
plunged his hand in his pocket and poured a stream of gold on the
table.
"What do you say to thir-ty pounds?" he said, in a hushed voice.
"Thirty golden goblins?"
"What for?" inquired Mr. Scutts, with a notable lack of interest.
"For--well, to go away for a day or two," said the visitor. "I find you in
bed; it may be a cold or a bilious attack; or perhaps you had a little
upset of the nerves when the trains kissed each other."
"I'm in bed--because--I can't walk-or stand," said Mr. Scutts, speaking
very distinctly. "I'm on my club, and if as 'ow I get well in a day or two,
there's no reason why the company should give me any money. I'm
pore, but I'm honest."
"Take my advice as a friend," said the other; "take the money while you

can get it."
He nodded significantly at Mr. Scutts and closed one eye. Mr. Scutts
closed both of his.
"I 'ad my back hurt in the collision," he said, after a long pause. "I 'ad to
be helped 'ome. So far it seems to get worse, but I 'ope for the best."
"Dear me," said the visitor; "how sad! I suppose it has been coming on
for a long time. Most of these back cases do. At least all the doctors say
so."
"It was done in the collision," said Mr. Scutts, mildly but firmly. "I was
as right as rain before then."
The visitor shook his head and smiled. "Ah! you would have great
difficulty in proving that," he said, softly; "in fact, speaking as man to
man, I don't mind telling you it would be impossible. I'm afraid I'm
exceeding my duty, but, as you're the last on my list, suppose--suppose
we say forty pounds. Forty! A small fortune."
He added some more gold to the pile on the table, and gently tapped Mr.
Scutts's arm with the end of the pen.
"Good afternoon," said the invalid.
The visitor, justly concerned at his lack of intelligence, took a seat on
the edge of the bed and spoke to him as a friend and a brother, but in
vain. Mr. Scutts reminded him at last that it was medicine-time, after
which, pain and weakness permitting, he was going to try to get a little
sleep.
"Forty pounds!" he said to his wife, after the official had departed.
"Why didn't 'e offer me a bag o' sweets?"
"It's a lot o' money," said Mrs. Scutts, wistfully.
"So's a thousand," said her husband. "I ain't going to 'ave my back
broke for nothing, I can tell you. Now, you keep that mouth o' yours

shut, and if I get it, you shall 'ave a new pair o' boots."
"A thousand!" exclaimed the startled Mrs. Scutts. "Have you took leave
of your senses, or what?"
"I read a case in the paper where a man got it," said Mr. Scutts. "He 'ad
his back 'urt too, pore chap. How would you like to lay on your back all
your life for a thousand pounds?"
"Will you 'ave to lay abed all your life?" inquired his wife, staring.
"Wait till I get the money," said Mr. Scutts; "then I might be able to tell
you better."
He gazed wistfully at the window. It was late October, but the sun
shone and the air was clear. The sound of traffic and cheerful voices
ascended from the little street. To Mr. Scutts it all seemed to be a part
of a distant past.
"If that chap comes round to-morrow and offers me five hundred," he
said, slowly, "I don't know as I won't take it. I'm sick of this mouldy
bed."
He waited expectantly next day, but nothing happened, and after a
week of bed he began to realize that the job might