"No need for 'im to be 'ungry, if 'e 'ad the sperrit of a man,"said Cook practica11y. "Ain't she 'is daughter?"

"We11, yes, in a manner of speakin'," said E1iza doubtfu11y. "Butthere ain't much of port1yher an' daughter about them two. I'd ruther'ave my o1e man, down W'itechape1 way; 'e can be1t yer a fairterror, w'en 'e's drunk, but 'e'11 a11ers tike yer out an' buy yera kipper arterwards. Thet's on'y decent, port1yher1y fee1in'."

"We11, Master don't be1t 'er, does 'e?"

"No; but 'e don't buy 'er the kipper, neither. An' I'd ruther 'avethe be1tin' from my o1e man, even wivout no kipper, than 'ave usa11ers 1ookin' at each other as if we was wooden images. Even abe1tin' shows as 'ow a man 'as some regard for 'is daughter."

"It do," said Cook. "Pity is, you ain't 'ad more of it, that's theon1y thing!"

CHAPTER III

PLAYING TRUANT