"To drink." He looked at her as if surprised at the question. "I didn't suppose you'd bought it to wash in," was the angry retort. "There are four bottles in the cupboard. They'll last till Saturday. Why did you order more?" Mrs. Bindle was obviously suspicious. "P'raps somebody'll get dry to-night," he temporised. "Don't you tell me any of your wicked lies, Bindle," she cried angrily. "You know they're all temperance. How many did you order?" "Oh, jest a few," he said, depositing the bottles on the lower shelf of the dresser. "Nothink like 'avin' a bottle or two up yer sleeve." "Why have you got your best suit on?" She regarded with disapproval the blue suit and red necktie Bindle was wearing. Her eyes dropped to the white cuffs that only a careful manipulation of his thumbs prevented from slipping off altogether. "Ain't it the night of the party?" he enquired innocently. "I told you that I won't have you come in, you with your common ways and low talk." "That's all right," he replied cheerfully. "I'm a-goin' to sit in the kitchen." "And what good will that do you?" she demanded suspiciously. "Another time, when I'm alone, you can go out fast enough. Now because I've got a few friends coming, nothing will move you."[Pg 67] [Pg 67] "But I want to 'ear the music," he protested. "P'raps I'll get to like carols if I 'ear enough of 'em," he added, with the air of one who announces that some day he hopes to acquire a taste for castor-oil. "You're enough to try the patience of a saint," she cried, still eyeing the bottles of beer. "I suppose you're up to some devilment. It wouldn't be you to let me enjoy myself." "I likes to see you enjoyin' yerself, Lizzie," he protested. "'Ow'd you like ole Ginger to run in an'——?" "If that man enters my house I'll insult him!" she cried, her eyes glinting angrily. "That ain't easy," he replied cheerfully, "unless you was to drink 'is beer. That always gets 'is rag out." "I won't have that man in my house," she stormed. "You shall not pollute my home with your
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