Lil had acted like a fool, and Mrs Partridge, with her insatiable greed for gossip, had gathered hints and rumours from the four corners of Sydney, and Lil had bolted rather than argue it out with her father.

That and the death of Pinkey's mother had soured his temper, and his wits, never very powerful, had grown childish under the blow.
"So don't yous go pokin' borak at 'im," she cried, flushing pink.
"'E's a good father to me, if she lets 'im alone.

But she's got 'im under 'er thumb with 'er nasty tongue." Chook thought Mrs Partridge was an agreeable woman.

Instantly Pinkey's eyes blazed with anger.
"Is she?
You ought ter 'ear 'er talk.

She's got a tongue like a dog's tail; it's always waggin'.