“Hum!”
“And for Tommy, if I didn’t keep him, he would steal. I’m teaching him not to steal.”
“What woman have you got with you?”
“Baby’s the only woman we’ve got, sir.”
“But who attends to her?”
“I do, sir. She only wants washing and rolling round in the blanket; she’s got no clothes to speak of. When I’m away, Tommy and Abdiel take care of her.”
“Abdiel! Who on earth is that? Where is he?” said the magistrate, looking round for some fourth member of the incomprehensible family.
“He’s not on earth, sir; he’s in heaven—the good angel, you know, sir, that left Satan and came back again to God.”
“You must take him to the county-asylum, James!” said the magistrate, turning to the tall policeman.
“Oh, he’s all right, sir!” said James.