" she cried, "to-morrer's Sunday, an' there ain't a bite or
sup in the blessed 'ouse!"

In the excitement of the wedding she had forgotten her weekly shopping.
It was a catastrophe. But Chook had an idea.

"Cum on, blokes," he cried, "'oo'll cum down the road wi' Mother, an'
'elp carry the tucker? Blimey, I reckon it's 'er night out!"

A dozen volunteered, with a shout of applause. Jonah and Ada were left
to entertain the guests, and the party set out. The grocer was going
to bed, and the shop was in darkness, but they banged so fiercely on
the door that he leaned over the balcony in his shirt, convinced that
the Push had come to wreck his shop. Yet he came down, distressed in
his shopkeeper's soul at the thought of losing his profit. He served
her in haste, terrified by the boisterous noise of her escort.

Then they walked up the Road, shrieking with laughter, bumping against
the passengers, who hurried past with scared looks. It was a triumphal
procession to the butcher's and the greengrocer's Mrs Yabsley, radiant
with beer, gave her orders royally, her bodyguard, seizing on every
purchase, fighting for the privilege of carrying it. The procession
turned into Cardigan Street again, laden with provisions, yelling
scraps of song, rousing the street with ungodly clamour.

Old Dad met them at the corner of Cooper Street. He stood for a
moment, lurching with unpremeditated steps to the front and rear,
astonished by the noise and the crowd. Then he recognized Mrs Yabsley,
and became suddenly excited, under the impression that she was being
taken to the lock-up by the police. He lurched gallantly into the
throng, calling on his friends to rescue the old girl from her captors.
When he learned that she was in no danger, he grew enthusiastic, and
insisted on helping to carry the provisions.

"'Ere, Dad, yer've lost yer 'ead. Take this," said Chook, offering him
a cabbage.

"Keep it, sonny--keep it; you want it more than I do," cried Dad,
scornfully.

So saying, he tore a shoulder of mutton out of Waxy's hands, and,
carrying it in his arms as a woman carries a child, joined the
procession with sudden, zigzag steps. When the party reached the
cottage, it was met with a howl of welcome from the crowd, which now
reached to the opposite footpath. Barney Ryan, seized with an
inspiration, broke suddenly into "Mother Shipton". The chorus was
taken up with a roar of discordant voices:

Good old Mother has com