The turnkey shook his head.
"There, ma'am, you ask for an article that I don't deal in. My shop don't keep such a thing as liberty. What I mean is, that you may have just what you like to eat and drink."
"Very well. In the morning you can bring me what I order."
"Oh, yes—yes."
"I will pay handsomely for what I do order, for I have, as you say, a heavy purse. Much heavier, indeed it is, than any of you imagine, my friends."
"Your humble servant, ma'am. I only wish Newgate was full of such as you."
"Ah, I hear a footstep. Who is it that is about to intrude upon me to-night?"
"It's the chaplain."
"The chaplain? I thought he understood that I declined his visits completely."
"Why, you see, ma'am, so you did, but it's his duty to go the round of all the cells before the prison shuts up for the night, so he will come, you see; and if I might advise you, ma'am, I should say be civil to him whatever you may think, for he can do you an ill turn if he likes in his report. He has more underhanded sort of power than you are aware of, Mrs. Lovett; so you had better, as I say, be civil to him, and keep your thoughts to yourself. Where's the odds, you know, ma'am?"