"Mother be——!" returned Jack. "Who is it, Bess?"
"How should I know?" replied Edgeworth Bess. "But if it is your mother, send her about her business."
"That I will," replied Jack, "in the twinkling of a bedpost."
"Glad to see you once more in the Mint, Mrs. Sheppard," roared Blueskin, who anticipated some fun. "Come and sit down by me."
"Take a glass of gin, Ma'am," cried Poll Maggot, holding up a bottle of spirit; "it used to be your favourite liquor, I've heard."
"Jack, my love," cried Mrs. Sheppard, disregarding the taunt, "come away."
"Not I," replied Jack; "I'm too comfortable where I am. Be off!"
"Jack!" exclaimed his unhappy parent.
"Mr. Sheppard, if you please, Ma'am," interrupted the lad; "I allow nobody to call me Jack. Do I, Bess, eh?"
"Nobody whatever, love," replied Edgeworth Bess; "nobody but me, dear."