“You’ve lived in some of these very new damp places, then?”
“Well,” said the old gentleman smiling, “beggars mustn’t be choosers, you see. We have to take the house the agent has on hand.”
“You take charge of a house, then, on condition of living rent-free?”
“Yes, ma’am, that’s it,” said the old lady smiling.
“And how long have you lived in this way?”
“Oh! close upon fifteen years, ma’am,” replied the old gentleman; “but things are not so good as they were. More than once I’ve nearly had to take a place—much building as there is going on.”
“Yes, and pay rent,” said the old lady.
“You see it’s the police,” the old gentleman went on.
“The police?”
“Yes, the police,” said the old lady. “The boys do so much mischief.”