"I'm not going back just yet." "What, 'ave yer lost yer situation?" "No, no," said Mrs. Saunders, "Esther ain't well--she 'as come up for 'er 'ealth; take the sixpence and run along." "May I go too?" said Julia. "I've been at work since eight, and I've only a few more dogs to do." "Yes, you may go with your sister. Run along; don't bother me any more, I've got to get your father's supper." When Jenny and Julia had left, Esther and Mrs. Saunders could talk freely; the other children were too young to understand. "There is times when 'e is well enough," said Mrs. Saunders, "and others when 'e is that awful. It is 'ard to know 'ow to get him, but 'e is to be got if we only knew 'ow. Sometimes 'tis most surprising how easy 'e do take things, and at others--well, as about that piece of steak that I was a-telling you of. Should you catch him in that humour 'e's as like as not to take ye by the shoulder and put you out; but if he be in a good humour 'e's as like as not to say, 'Well, my gal, make yerself at 'ome.'" "He can but turn me out, I'll leave yer to speak to 'im, mother." "I'll do my best, but I don't answer for nothing. A nice bit of supper do make a difference in 'im, and as ill luck will 'ave it, I've nothing but a rasher, whereas if I only 'ad a bit of steak 'e'd brighten up the moment he clapt eyes on it and become that cheerful." "But, mother, if you think it will make a difference I can easily slip round to the butcher's and----" "Yes, get half a pound, and when it's nicely cooked and inside him it'll make all the difference. That will please him. But I don't like to see you spending your money--money that you'll want badly." "It can't be helped, mother. I shan't be above a minute or two away, and I'll bring back a pint of porter with the steak." Coming back she met Jenny and Julia, and when she told them her purchases they remarked significantly that they were now quite sure of a pleasant evening. "When he's done eating 'e'll go out to smoke his pipe with some of his chaps," said Jenny, "and we shall have the 'ouse to ourselves, and yer can tell us all about your situation. They keeps a butler and a footman, don't they? They must be grand folk. And what was the footman like? Was he very handsome? I've 'eard that they all is." "And you'll show us yer dresses, won't you?" said Julia. "How many 'ave you got, and 'ow did yer manage to save up enough money to buy such beauties, if they're all like that?" "This dress was given to me by Miss Mary." "Was it? She must be a real good 'un. I should like to go to service; I'm tired of making dogs; we have to work that 'ard, and it nearly all goes to the public; father drinks worse than ever."