Nightflit. Not into the canal, ma’am; certainly not. He chucked her under the chin!
Nutts. There, Mrs Nutts! Ain’t you sorry you spoke? Chucked her under the chin! What do you say now?
Mrs Nutts. Say? Why, what I said afore—that it’s just like the men. But read all about it. And I’ve no doubt a married man, too!
Nightflit. It all came out at a meeting o’ Pancras’ vestry. Mr Douglas says that Mr Pike, being upon canvas and asking for a vote, “chucked” the gal under the chin—as I s’pose for her master’s interest.
Nutts. Well, where’s the great harm o’ that?
Mrs Nutts. Mr Nutts! if you go on with such sentiments, I tell you this, I’ll go up-stairs! I won’t stop and listen to you.
Nightflit. Well, Mr Pike, the culprit as was thought, was called in——
Nosebag. To slow music, o’ course?
Nightflit. Called into the vestry, and put upon his defence. Poor gentleman! When he said—here it is in the paper (reads): “It is untrue, upon my honour: in the presence of my God, it is untrue. I know myself better than to be guilty of so humiliating an act. I have more respect for myself than to chuck any servant-girl under the chin, and least of all the servant of a vestryman of St Pancras’.” This declaration seemed to satisfy the chairman and his fellow-vestrymen. Very awful business, isn’t it, Mrs Nutts? Poor Mr Pike, innocent as a lamb!
Mrs Nutts. Oh yes; to be sure; of course; never know’d a man who wasn’t innocent! Don’t see, though, why a servant-gal should be looked down upon in that way: been in service myself. Any servant-gal, indeed!