The wife brought out from a small closet a slice of bread and a segment of cheese.

"Pah!" said the burly ruffian, turning up his nose. "What are you giving us?"

"It's all I've got, Bill."

"Where's the meat, I say?"

"There is none."

"You and your brat have eaten it!" said he, irritably.

"God help us, Bill! We have had no meat for a week."

"That's a lie! I can't eat such trash as that. Do you mean to starve me?"

"I can't make food, Bill. If you will give money, I will provide better. I can't do anything without money."