Kipps, page 169 by H.G. Wells

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170

in Folkestone an hour or so later.

But Sid was not to be deflected from that other rankling theme by any reminiscences of Ann.

'I wonder what you will do with all that money,' he speculated. 'I wonder if you will do any good at all. I wonder what you could do. You should hear Masterman. He'd tell you things. Suppose it came to me; what should I do? It's no good giving it back to the State as things are. Start an Owenite profit-sharing factory perhaps. Or a new Socialist paper. We want a new Socialist paper.'

He tried to drown his personal chagrin in elaborate exemplary suggestions...


3

'I must be gettin' on to my motor,' said Kipps at last, having to a large extent heard him out.

'What! Got a motor?'

'No,' said Kipps apologetically. 'Only jobbed for the day.'

''Ow much?'

'Five pounds.'

'Keep five families for a week! Good Lord!' That seemed to crown Sid's disgust.

Yet drawn by a sort of fascination, he came with Kipps and assisted at the mounting of the motor. He was pleased to note it was not the most modern of motors, but that was the only grain of comfort. Kipps mounted at once, after one violent agitation of the little shop-door to set the bell ajangle and warn his uncle and aunt. Sid assisted with the great fur-lined overcoat and examined the spectacles.

'Good-bye, o' chap!' said Kipps.

'Good-bye, o' chap!' said Sid.

The old people came out to say good-bye.

Old Kipps was radiant with triumph. ''Pon my sammy, Artie! I'm a goo' mind to come with you,' he shouted; and then, 'I got something you might take with you!'

He dodged back into the shop and returned with the perforated engraving after Morland.

'You stick to this, my boy,' he said. 'You get it repaired by some one who knows. It's the most vallyble thing I got you so far--you take my word.'

'Warrup!' said the motor, and tuff, tuff, tuff, and backed and snorted, while old Kipps danced about on the pavement as if foreseeing com

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