It's too much like prison." "But suppose, after you've had your night's sleep, you refuse to pick oakum, or break stones, or do any work at all ?" I asked.
"No fear you'll refuse the second time; they'll run you in," answered the Carpenter.

"Wouldn't advise you to try it on, my lad." "Then comes dinner," he went on.

"Eight ounces of bread, one and a arf ounces of cheese, an' cold water.

Then you finish your task an' 'ave supper, same as before, three parts o' skilly any six ounces o' bread.
Then to bed, six o'clock, an' next mornin' you're turned loose, provided you've finished your task." We had long since left Mile End Road, and after traversing a gloomy maze of narrow, winding streets, we came to Poplar Workhouse.

On a low stone wall we spread our handkerchiefs, and each in his handkerchief put all his worldly possessions, with the exception of the "bit o' baccy" down his sock.