"I can't eat, dad," he said to his father, "a bite or a sup would choke me."
James Poole made no reply, but his wife laughed and said:
"So much the better! All the more left for us!"
"Bein' Saturday," said Tad, coming round to his father's side, "Mr. Scales paid me as usual. Here's the money for you, dad!" and he put down four shillings on the table.
"Give it to your mother, Tad, she does the providin'."
But Tad did not obey.
"Give that there money to me, do you hear?" cried Mrs. Poole.
But Tad appeared to take no notice of her.
"Won't you have the tin, father?" he said.
"No, my boy; I know I've took your wages till now, but I find your mother—your stepmother—likes to have it herself, and it's all the same to me."