 of
the house, and thinking, for the first time, that the poor-laws really were too
hard on people; and that men who ran away from their wives, leaving them
chargeable to the parish, ought, in justice, to be visited with no punishment at
all, but rather rewarded as meritorious individuals who had suffered much; Mr.
Bumble came to a room where some of the female paupers were usually employed in
washing the parish linen: whence the sound of voices in conversation, now
proceeded.
    »Hem!« said Mr. Bumble, summoning up all his native dignity. »These women at
least shall continue to respect the prerogative. Hallo! hallo there! What do you
mean by this noise, you hussies?«
    With these words, Mr. Bumble opened the door, and walked in with a very
fierce and angry manner: which was at once exchanged for a most humiliated and
cowering air, as his eyes unexpectedly rested on the form of his lady wife.
    »My dear,« said Mr. Bumble, »I didn't know you were here.«
    »Didn't know I was here!« repeated Mrs. Bumble. »What do you do here?«
    »I thought they were talking rather too much to be doing their work
properly, my dear,« replied Mr. Bumble: glancing distractedly at a couple of old
women at the wash-tub, who were comparing notes of admiration at the
workhouse-master's humility.
    »You thought they were talking too much?« said Mrs. Bumble. »What business
is it of yours?«
    »Why, my dear -« urged Mr. Bumble submissively.
    »What business is it of yours?« demanded Mrs. Bumble, again.
    »It's very true, you're matron here, my dear,« submitted Mr. Bumble; »but I
thought you mightn't be in the way just then.«
    »I'll tell you what, Mr. Bumble,« returned his lady. »We don't want any of
your interference. You're a great deal too fond of poking your nose into things
that don't concern you, making everybody in the house laugh, the moment your
back is turned, and making yourself look like a fool every hour in the day. Be
off; come!«
    Mr. Bumble, seeing with excruciating feelings, the delight of the two old
paupers, who were tittering together most rapturously, hesitated for an instant.
Mrs. Bumble, whose patience brooked no
