Peter's Pence Page #4

"Peter's Pence" by W. W. Jacobs is a humorous novella that revolves around the misadventures of a young man named Peter, who becomes embroiled in a series of comical events stemming from misunderstandings and mistaken intentions. Set in a lively coastal town, the narrative explores themes of love, the quirks of human behavior, and the chaos that ensues when financial ambitions clash with romantic interests. Jacobs' wit and keen observation of character dynamics make this story a delightful exploration of the complexities of everyday life.

• Humour
• Short story

								

pickpockets that I didn't bring much away with me. If you could wait
till the day arter to-morrow, when my money is sent to me, you can 'ave
ten if you like.”

“You're very kind,” ses Sam, “but that 'ud be too late for me. I must
try and get it somewhere else.” Peter and Ginger went on eating their
breakfast, but every time Peter looked up he caught 'is uncle looking at
'im in such a surprised and disappointed sort o' way that 'e didn't like
the look of it at all.

“I could just do it for a couple o' days, Sam,” he ses at last, “but
it'll leave me very short.”

“That's right,” ses his uncle, smiling. “My nevvy, Peter Russet, will
lend it to you, Mr. Small, of 'is own free will. He 'as offered afore he
was asked, and that's the proper way to do it, in my opinion.”

He reached acrost the table and shook 'ands with Peter, and said that
generosity ran in their family, and something seemed to tell 'im as
Peter wouldn't lose by it. Everybody seemed pleased with each other,
and arter Ginger Dick and Peter 'ad gone out Mr. Goodman took the five
pounds off of old Sam and stowed 'em away very careful in the match-box.

'He Reached Acrost the Table and Shook 'ands With Peter.'

“It's nice to 'ave money agin,” he ses. “There's enough for a week's
enjoyment here.”

“Yes,” ses Sam, slow-like; “but wot I want to know is, wot about the day
arter to-morrow, when Peter expects 'is money?”

Mr. Goodman patted 'im on the shoulder. “Don't you worry about Peter's
troubles,” he ses. “I know exactly wot to do; it's all planned out. Now
I'm going to 'ave a lay down for an hour—I didn't get much sleep last
night—and if you'll call me at twelve o'clock we'll go somewhere. Knock
loud.”

He patted 'im on the shoulder agin, and Sam, arter fidgeting about a
bit, went out. The last time he ever see Peter's uncle he was laying
on the bed with 'is eyes shut, smiling in his sleep. And Peter Russet
didn't see Sam for eighteen months.
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