You try to cheat me and see.'
Clem had sufficient command of her faculties to devise this line of
action. She half believed, too, that the letter would be of some
legal efficacy, as against her mother.
'You bloomin' fool!' screamed Mrs. Peckover. 'Do you think I was
born yesterday? Not one farden do you get out of me if you starve in
the street--not one farden! It's my turn now. I've had about
enough o' your cheek an' your hinsults. You'll go and work for your
livin', you great cart-horse!'
'Work! No fear! I'll set the perlice after him.'
'The perlice! What can they do?'
'Is it law as he can go off and leave me with nothing to live on?'
'Course it is! Unless you go to the work'us an' throw yourself on
the parish. Do, do! Oh my! Shouldn't I like to see you brought down
to the work'us, like Mrs. Igginbottom, the wife of the cat's-meat
man, him as they stuck up wanted for desertion!'
'You're a liar!' Clem shouted. 'I can make _you_ support me before
it comes to that.'
The wrangle continued for some time longer; then Clem bethought
herself of another person with whom she must have the satisfaction
of speaking her mind.
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