“Yes, it were, sir,” replied Mrs. Cluppins.
“What were you doing in the back room, ma’am?” inquired the little judge.
“My Lord and Jury,” said Mrs. Cluppins, with interesting agitation, “I will not deceive you.”
“You had better not, ma’am,” said the little judge.
“I was there,” resumed Mrs. Cluppins, “unbeknown to Mrs. Bardell; I had been out with a little basket, gentlemen, to buy three pound of red kidney purtaties, which was three pound tuppense ha’penny, when I see Mrs. Bardell’s street door on the jar.”
“On the what?” exclaimed the little judge.
“Partly open, my Lord,” said Serjeant Snubbin.
“She said on the jar,” said the little judge, with a cunning look.
“It’s all the same, my Lord,” said Serjeant Snubbin. The little judge looked doubtful and said he’d make a note of it. Mrs. Cluppins then resumed: