A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens Stave 4 Page 14

her knees, and looking with a bold defiance at the other two.

“What odds, then? What odds, Mrs. Dilber?” said the woman. “Every person has a right to take care of themselves. He always did!”

“That's true, indeed!” said the laundress. “No man more so.”

“Why, then, don't stand staring as if you was afraid, woman! Who's the wiser? We're not going to pick holes in each other's coats, I suppose?”

“No, indeed!” said Mrs. Dilber and the man together. “We should hope not.”

“Very well, then!” cried the woman. “That's enough. Who's the worse for the loss of a few things like these? Not a dead man, I suppose?”