"Ask Mr.
Betteredge." It was no use asking ME.

All they got out of ME was, "Good-night." "Bother the money!" says Mrs.Yolland.With these words, she appeared to lose all command over herself; and, making a sudden snatch at the heap of silver, put it back, holus-bolus, in her pocket.

"It upsets one's temper, it does, to see it lying there, and nobody taking it," cries this unreasonable woman, sitting down with a thump, and looking at Sergeant Cuff, as much as to say, "It's in my pocket again now--get it out if you can!" This time, I not only went to the door, but went fairly out on the road back.

Explain it how you may, I felt as if one or both of them had mortally offended me.

Before I had taken three steps down the village, I heard the Sergeant behind me.
"Thank you for your introduction, Mr.Betteredge," he said.