"We must chance it," said Smith. "Have you any tobacco? Jack took all mine. I hope he'll go in for a debauch and get sick."
The Baker handed him over a fig of black twist, and he took a chew.
"Give it me," said Mrs. Mandeville, "I can eat, too."
It took a deal of explanation before she could understand that they were chewing what would make her very ill, and even then she insisted on trying.
"Don't take much," said the Baker anxiously, "you'll only spit it out."
And spit it out she did with every sign of disgust, when she got the savour of the luscious black morsel.
"I told you so, missis," said the Baker. "But ain't she just like a woman, Smith?"
He said this with an air of intense enjoyment in discovering feminine qualities in Kitty.
But Smith chuckled.
"What the devil else did you expect her to be like?" he demanded.