were poor? Is it a fact, for instance, that you had to call them "Sir"
and take off your cap when you passed them?'
The old man appeared to think deeply. He drank off about a quarter of
his beer before answering.
'Yes,' he said. 'They liked you to touch your cap to 'em. It showed
respect, like. I didn't agree with it, myself, but I done it often enough.
Had to, as you might say.'
'And was it usual -- I'm only quoting what I've read in history books
-- was it usual for these people and their servants to push you off the
pavement into the gutter?'
'One of 'em pushed me once,' said the old man. 'I recollect it as if
it was yesterday. It was Boat Race night -- terribly rowdy they used to get
on Boat Race night -- and I bumps into a young bloke on Shaftesbury Avenue.
Quite a gent, 'e was -- dress shirt, top 'at, black overcoat. 'E was kind
of zig-zagging across the pavement, and I bumps into 'im accidental-like.
'E says, "Why can't you look where you're going?" 'e says. I say, "Ju think
you've bought the bleeding pavement?" 'E says, "I'll twist your bloody 'ead
off if you get fresh with me." I says, "You're drunk. I'll give you in
charge in 'alf a minute," I says. An' if you'll believe me, 'e puts 'is
'and on my chest and gives me a shove as pretty near sent me under the ...