THE BRIDE: Old enough to do some work. 'E'll be eighteen in March.
DOCTOR BRINK: He's out of employment, then?
THE BRIDE (stiffly): Well, 'e ain't out of employment, on'y 'e don't go to work. There ain't no call for 'im to go, not unless 'e wants to. We're independent.
DOCTOR BRINK: Indeed?
THE WIFE: Yus. We've 'ad some luck, through the misfortune of losin' 'is father. There's a matter of two 'underd pound at the lawyer's, and more to come, they say.
DOCTOR BRINK: It's a pity he can't find some work to do. Two hundred pounds won't last for ever, you know.
THE WIFE: There ain't no call for 'im to look for work. When the money comes we're goin' inter business.
DOCTOR BRINK: Oh! What sort of business?
THE WIFE: The 'ardware, Doctor: joiners' bits and carpenters' tools, and knives and 'and-saws. It's bin a fancy of 'is'n since boy'ood up. That's the meaning of this short'and. 'E's educatin' 'isself for the position.
DOCTOR BRINK: Well, of course, an ironmonger isn't bound to know shorthand; but——