“Then,” said the person of the house, terrifying him by a grand muster of her spirits and forces before recurring to the emphatic word, “ What do you mean by it?”

“Circumstances over which had no control,” was the miserable creature’s plea in extenuation.

“ I’ll circumstance you and control you too,” retorted the person of the house, speaking with vehement sharpness, “if you talk in that way. I’ll give you in charge to the police, and have you fined five shillings when you can’t pay, and then I won’t pay the money for you, and you’ll be transported for life. How should you like to be transported for life?”

“Shouldn’t like it. Poor shattered invalid. Trouble nobody long,” cried the wretched figure.