MICUS There is, an' more; for if it wasn't forbidden to drink porter, it might be thought as little about as water.
PADNA I don't believe that, Micus. Did you ever hear of a pint or even a gallon of water makin' any one feel like Napoleon?
[Mrs. Cotter enters and places drinks on table.
PADNA (handing money)
There ye are, ma'am.
MRS. COTTER (takes money) Hurry now like good boys, for forty shillin's is a lot to pay for a pint o' porter, an' that's what 'twill cost ye if the police comes in an' finds ye here. An' I'll lose me license into the bargain. [Exit.
MICUS One would think be the way the police are talked about that they had charge of the whole Universe!
PADNA An' who else has charge of it but themselves an' the magistrates, or justices o' the pace, as they're called?
MICUS
They're worse than the police.
PADNA
They're as bad anyway, an' that's bad enough.
MICUS (scornfully)
Justices o' the pace!