In the meantime a stray personage of a meek demeanour, who had wandered to the hearthrug and got among the heads of tribes assembled there in conference with Mr. Podsnap, eliminated Mr. Podsnap’s flush and flourish by a highly unpolite remark; no less than a reference to the circumstance that some half-dozen people had lately died in the streets, of starvation. It was clearly ill-timed after dinner. It was not adapted to the cheek of the young person. It was not in good taste.

“I don’t believe it,” said Mr. Podsnap, putting it behind him.

The meek man was afraid we must take it as proved, because there were the inquests and the Registrar’s returns.

“Then it was their own fault,” said Mr. Podsnap.