"That isn't what I asked for," explained the doctor.
"I—I 'ardly know 'ow to—to tell you," sobbed Mrs. Budd. "It's so disgraceful."
"I am always hearing disgraceful things," the doctor said. "You needn't consider my feelings: they are hardened."
"Well, Doctor," exclaimed Mrs. Budd, "the truth is that what I 'ad yisterday and the Dark Brown to-day makes eighteenpence and I can't pay you. And——"
"And?" repeated the doctor sternly.
"And—and—I 'ardly know 'ow to tell you, Doctor: it is sich a disgraceful thing—my man has stole a 'am and a policeman come for 'im and they have locked him up."
"I will book the eighteenpence," said Doctor Brink.
"Thank you, Doctor: you are a gentleman," said Mrs. Budd.
"Take a chair, ma'am," said Doctor Brink.
"Not at all, sir," said Mrs. Budd.... "I don't know what you'll think of us, I'm sure I don't. And 'im so respectable up to now."