The same impression was
produced by the appointments of the kitchen, which was disorderly,
too, and spoke neglect of the scrubbing-brush. As for the table, it
was ill laid and worse supplied. The meal was to consist of the
fag-end of a shoulder of mutton, some villainously cooked potatoes
(_a l'Anglaise_) and bread.
'Oh, I can't eat this rot again!' cried the boy, making a dig with
his fork at the scarcely clad piece of bone. 'I shall have bread and
cheese. Lug the cheese out, Annie!'
'No, you won't,' replied the elder girl, in a disagreeable voice.
'You'll eat this or go without.'
She had an unpleasing appearance. Her face was very thin, her lips
pinched sourly together, her eyes furtive, hungry, malevolent. Her
movements were awkward and impatient, and a morbid nervousness kept
her constantly starting, with a stealthy look here or there.
'I shall have the cheese if I like!' shouted the boy, a very
ill-conditioned youngster, whose face seemed to have been damaged in
recent conflict. His clothes were dusty, and his hair stood up like
stubble.
'Hold your row, Tom,' said the younger girl, who was quiet and had
the look of an invalid.
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