and lump sugar that's bought for his breakfast, and the very milk

that's took in, at the street door? Do you suppose a hard-working and

industrious woman as has lived in this street for twenty year (ten year

over the way, and nine year and three-quarters in this very house) has

nothing else to do but to work herself to death after a parcel of lazy

idle fellars, that are always smoking and drinking, and lounging, when

they ought to be glad to turn their hands to anything that would help

em to pay their bills? Do you - '

My good soul,' interposed Mr Benjamin Allen soothingly.

Have the goodness to keep your observashuns to yourself, Sir, I beg,'

said Mrs. Raddle, suddenly arresting the rapid torrent of her speech,

and addressing the third party with impressive slowness and

solemnity. 'I am not aweer, Sir, that you have any right to address

your conversation to me. I don't think I let these apartments to you,

Sir.'

'No, you certainly did not,' said Mr Benjamin Allen.

Very good, Sir,' responded Mrs. Raddle, with lofty politeness. 'Then

p'raps, Sir, you'll confine yourself to breaking the arms and legs of the

poor people in the hospitals, and keep yourself TO yourself, Sir, or

there may be some persons here as will make you, Sir.'

'But you are such an unreasonable woman,' remonstrated Mr

Benjamin Allen.

I beg your parding, young man,' said Mrs. Raddle, in a cold

perspiration of anger. 'But will you have the goodness just to call me

that again, sir?'

I didn't make use of the word in any invidious sense, ma'am,' replied

Mr Benjamin Allen, growing somewhat uneasy on his own account.

I beg your parding, young man,' demanded Mrs. Raddle, in a louder

and more imperative tone. 'But who do you call a woman? Did you

make that remark to me, sir?'

'Why, bless my heart!' said Mr Benjamin Allen.

Did you apply that name to me, I ask of you, sir?' interrupted Mrs.

Raddle, with intense fierceness, throwing the door wide open.

'Why, of course I did,' replied Mr Benjamin Allen.

Yes, of course you did,' said Mrs. Raddle, backing gradually to the

door, and raising her voice to its loudest pitch, for the special behoof

The Pickwick Papers