Pagina 366 van 896

"And mind you!" said Mr. Cruncher. "No games to-morrow! If I, as

a honest tradesman, succeed in providing a jinte of meat or two,

none of your not touching of it, and sticking to bread. If I, as

a honest tradesman, am able to provide a little beer, none of

your declaring on water. When you go to Rome, do as Rome does.

Rome will be a ugly customer to you, if you don't. I'm your Rome,

you know."

Then he began grumbling again:

"With your flying into the face of your own wittles and drink! I

don't know how scarce you mayn't make the wittles and drink here,

by your flopping tricks and your unfeeling conduct. Look at your

boy: he is your'n, ain't he? He's as thin as a lath. Do you call

yourself a mother, and not know that a mother's first duty is to

blow her boy out?"