Page:Gissing - The Nether World, vol. I, 1889.djvu/174

 the infant! Let a fond parent look upon his child."

"Go an wash or I'll throw something at you. Baby's in bed, and mind, you wake him if you dare!"

Sidney would have taken his leave, but found it impossible. Mrs. Byass declared that if he would not stay to supper he should never enter the house again.

"Let's make a night of it!" cried Sam, standing in the doorway. "Let's have three pots of six ale and a bottle of old Tom! Let us be reckless!"

His wife caught up the pillow from the sofa and hurled it at him. Samuel escaped just in time. The next moment his head was again thrust forward.

"Let's send to the High Street for three cold roast-fowls and a beef-steak pie! Let's get custards and cheese-cakes and French pastry! Let's have a pine-apple and preserved ginger! Who says, Go it for once?"

Mrs. Byass caught up the poker and sprang