Le pinson et la fauvette
Chantaient nos chastes amours,
Que les oiseaux chantent toujours,
Pauvre Colinette, pauvre Colinette.


When he reached the women he hopped to the pavement holding out his hat
like a collection plate, with a beseeching air. The women were
embarrassed, grudging the pennies, but afraid of being thought mean.
Mrs Yabsley broke the silence.

"I don't know wot ye're singin' about, an' I shouldn't like ter meet yer
on a dark night, but I'm always willin' ter patronize the opera,
as they say."

She fumbled in her pocket till she found tuppence. The sailor took the
money, rolled his eyes, gave her a magnificent bow, and continued on his
way with a fresh stanza:


Lorsque nous allions tous deux
Dans la verdoyante allee,
Comme elle etait essoufflee,
Et comme j'etais radieux.


"The more fool you," said Mrs Jones, who was ashamed of having nothing
to give. "I've 'eard 'e's got a terrace of 'ouses, an' thousands in the