.

"Well, I hope not; but you've either been took in, or done a very, very
kind thing."

"Well, we shall see," he said.

"Yes, we shall see."

"You aint huffy with me?"

"I don't know yet," said Mrs Jenkles; "but I shall go up and see them."

"Ah, do," said Sam.

"Yes, I mean to see to the bottom of it," said Mrs Jenkles. "I haven't
patience with such ways."

"They can't help being poor."

"I don't mean them; I mean those people they're with. I couldn't do
it."

"Not you," said Sam. "But I say, don't Mr Lacy go next week?"

"Yes."

"And the rooms will be empty?"

"Yes," said Mrs Jenkles. "I have put the bill up in the window; he
said he didn't mind."

Sam Jenkles went and sat down in his chair with an air of relief and
looked at his wife.

Mrs Jenkles looked at Sam, as if the same idea was in both hearts.
Then she jumped up suddenly.

"Oh, Sam, the potatoes are spoiling!"

They were, but they were not spoilt; and Sam Jenkles made a very hearty
meal, washing it down with the pint of beer which he termed his
allowance.

"Ah!" he said, speaking like a man with a load off his mind, "this
here's a luxury as the swells never gets--a regular good, hot, mealy
tater, fresh from the fire. It's a wonderful arrangement of nature that
about taters."

"Why?" said Mrs Jenkles, as she emptied the brown coat of another
potato on her husband's plate. "What do you mean?"

"Why, the way in which roast potatoes and beer goes together. Six
mouthfuls of tater, and then a drink of beer to get rid of the dryness."

"I wish you wouldn't be so fond of talking about beer, Sam," said Mrs
Jenkles.

"All right, my dear," said Sam; and he finished his supper, retook his
place by the fireside, filled his pipe, glanced at the Dutch clock
swinging its pendulum to and fro; and then, as he lit the tobacco--"Ah!
this is cheery. Glad I aint on the night shift."

Mrs Jenkles was very quiet as she bustled about and cleared the table,
before once more taking her place on the other side of the fire.

"Ratty went first-rate to-day," said Sam, after a few puffs.

But Mrs Jenkles did not take any notice; she only made her needle
click, and Sam kept glancing at her as he went on smoking. At last she
spoke.

"I shall go up and see those people, Sam, for I'm afraid you've been
taken in. Was she a married woman."

"Yes," said Sam; "I saw her ring. But I say, you know, 'taint my fault,
Sally," he said, plaintively. "I w