nip Rat - Catcher Jack is rat-catcher in a neighbouring district. I
met him hurrying to one of his jobs, carrying bait-traps and leading his terriers. He is proud of his calling, and ready to impart information on the subject of rats. "Rats is cunning," he told me. " You got to lay plans for them. Nobody can clear them out of a place at one go unless he's got gas, an' even gas will miss one or two. I made a study of them. You got to study them to do well. Other day an old lady, sent for me. She'd got one in her bedroom. It was easy. I sent Peg in for it, an' it was killed in no time. She wouldn't let me search the place to find how it got in, so I just went off. Next day she sent for me again. She'd got another one. Well, the same thing happened. I'll be back there. I found out how they're gettiein, see 1 She won't let me have a look round, an' she won't listen. Every time I goes there it's goin' reost her another few shillin'. Some people can't be told an' won't learn. You got to study the business. I know, rats like some people knows horses and some knows dogs. When I put down bait nothin' can resist it, but that's a secret of my trade."
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