The Man in Possession — page 56: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE MAN IN POSSESSION. SI may find yourself landed in the police court anda case of ‘fine,’ or seven days. Then whered you be?” ‘‘In the cells, sorra a doubt,” laughed Biddy. ‘‘Maybe ‘tis not so bad they are. What do you think, Mister Fletcher ? ” ‘‘Females,’’ observed Fletcher irrelevantly, ‘‘are sharp, and Irish females more especial, but sharp or not I ain’t a goin’ to let any female whatsoever know my business, nor where I've been, in my time. Not but what I’ve seen some rum starts—Lord! I should think so—rayther.” He pronounced that word with an accent, out of compliment to Biddy. She was bustling about the kitchen, intent on culi- nary operations. ‘‘Shure, and the pudding’s made,” she exclaimed. ‘Was it Miss Kate did that?” she asked the bailiff. ‘*T never seed her,” answered that worthy man. ‘‘T was out.” ‘‘Out! that’s against the rules. Ye’ll be after lavin’ your situation, Mister Fletcher.” ‘‘Oh, I left a substitute,” said Fletcher, loftily. ‘‘ He's coming again,” he added. ‘‘ He helped put you to bed last night, Biddy.” } ‘‘ Like his impudence, and yours too,” said Biddy, wrathfully. ‘‘’T'was onlya bit unsteady I was—just a wilfulness in the legs—my head was right enough, the saints be praised.” Fletcher laughed silently, as one who enjoys a secret joke. | ' * Hadn’t you better boil the pudding, since it is made?” he suggested. ‘‘Miss Kate and you will COMicloe (Sri C(O)