uddenly interrupts the conversation by addressing the jewelled
shopman--'Now, Mr. Henry, do make haste, there's a good soul, for my two
grandchildren's locked up at home, and I'm afeer'd of the fire.' The
shopman slightly raises his head, with an air of deep abstraction, and
resumes his entry with as much deliberation as if he were engraving.
'You're in a hurry, Mrs. Tatham, this ev'nin', an't you?' is the only
notice he deigns to take, after the lapse of five minutes or so. 'Yes, I
am indeed, Mr. Henry; now, do serve me next, there's a good creetur. I
wouldn't worry you, only it's all along o' them botherin' children.'
'What have you got here?' inquires the shopman, unpinning the
bundle--'old concern, I suppose--pair o' stays and a petticut. You must
look up somethin' else, old 'ooman; I can't lend you anything more upon
them; they're completely worn out by this time, if it's only by putting
in, and taking out again, three times a week.' 'Oh! you're a rum un, you
are,' replies the old woman, laughing extremely, as in duty bound; 'I
wish I'd got the gift of the gab like you; see if I'd be up the spout so
often then! No, no; it an't the petticut; it's a child's frock and a
beautiful silk ankecher, as belongs to my husband. He gave four shillin'
for it, the werry same blessed day as he broke his arm.'--'What do you
want upon these?' inquires Mr. Henry, slightly glancing at the articles,
which in all probability are old acquaintances. 'What do you want upon
these?'--'Eighteenpence.'--'Lend you ninepence.'--'Oh, make it a
shillin'; there's a dear--do now?'--'Not another farden.'--'Well, I
suppose I must take it.' The duplicate is made out, one ticket pinned on
the parcel, the other given to the old woman; the parcel is flung
carelessly down into a corner, and some other customer prefers his claim
to be served without further delay.

The choice falls on an unshaven, dirty, sottish-looking fellow, whose
tarnished paper-cap, stuck negligently over one eye, communicates an
additionally repulsive expression to his very uninviting countenance. He
was enjoying a little relaxation from his sedentary pursuits a quarter of
an hour ago, in kicking his wife up the court. He has come to redeem
some tools:--probably to complete a job with, on account of which he has
already received some money, if his inflamed countenance and drunken
staggers may be taken as evidence of the fact. Having waited some little
time, he makes his pr