"How can you lie in your bed and say that? I'm sure there's no
children in the world that cost their father so little: but that's
it; the less a poor woman does upon, the less she may. It's the
wives who don't care where the money comes from who're best thought
of. Oh, if my time was to come over again, would I mend and stitch,
and make the things go so far as I have done? No--that I wouldn't.
Yes, it's very well for you to lie there and laugh; it's easy to
laugh, Caudle--very easy, to people who don't feel.

"Now, Caudle, dear! What a man you are! I know you'll give me the
money, because, after all, I think you love your children, and like
to see 'em well dressed. It's only natural that a father should.
Eh, Caudle, eh? Now you sha'n't go to sleep till you've told me.

"HOW MUCH MONEY DO I WANT?

"Why, let me see, love. There's Caroline, and Jane, and Susannah,
and Mary Anne, and--What do you say?

"I NEEDN'T COUNT 'EM; YOU KNOW HOW MANY THERE ARE?

"Ha! that's just as you take me up. Well, how much money will it
take? Let me see; and don't go to sleep. I'll tell you in a minute.
You always love to see the dear things like new pins, I know that,
Caudle; and though I say it--bless their little hearts!--they do
credit to you, Caudle. Any nobleman of the land might be proud of
'em. Now don't swear at noblemen of the land, and ask me what
they've to do with your children; you know what I meant. But you ARE
so hasty, Caudle.