A night in the workhouse

by Greenwood James

'What's your name?'

'Joshua Mason, Sir.'

'What are you?'

'An engraver.' (This taredaddle I invented to account for the look of my hands.)

'Where did you sleep last night?'

'Hammersmith,' I answered—as I hope to be forgiven!

'How many times have you been here?'

'Never before, Sir.'

'Where do you mean to go when you are turned out in the morning?'

'Back to Hammersmith, Sir.'