George Gissing

“ The combat was unequal; in spite of her great command of "language," the landlady retreated. The lodgers, flushed with victory, sallied forth under a cloudy sky, and betook themselves the pier, where they attended a popular concert. Dinner, for the first time, was ready almost at the appointed hour, and somewhat better prepared than hitherto; pæans rose round the table.
"They always try it on," cried Budge. "You 've got to show 'em you won't stand it." ”

“ On Monday morning the landlady began reprisals. Meeting Mrs. Rippingille on the stairs, she complained of the noise that the five children made. A lady below (the word was meaningly emphasised) had been unable to sleep since seven o'clock this morning, owing to the tumult. "Tell the lydy," answered Mrs. Rippingille tartly, "she'd better git up earlier; it's good for her 'ealth." And this retort kept the holiday-makers in exuberant spirits till dinner-time. ”

“ Mrs. Rippingille, who had visited the butcher's this morning, declared that a good half-pound had been feloniously cut off below-stairs. Messages of savage insult were sent to the landlady, but satisfaction ended here. It was some relief, however; and, after all, the cooking could not be very much worse than that to which our friends were accustomed at home.
In the afternoon, Mrs. Budge, whose baby had an attack of some complaint incidental to its time of life, offered to take care of all the children, whilst the other three elders went in search of enjoyment. ”

“ Arrived at the sea-front, they found abundant life of the kind most pleasing to them: a thronged highway, resounding with virile shout and feminine squeal, with refrains of the music hall, and every such noise as inspirits the children of a great capital. ”

“ Rippingille, salesman at a large boot warehouse, and Budge, a coal-merchant's clerk, were young men of sober disposition, not incapable of modest mirth, content with their lot in life, and rarely looking more than a month or two ahead. Their wives did not lack correspondent virtues. Granted the female privilege of believing (and telling each other) that they might have married much more brilliantly if they had waited longer, and the necessary relaxation of abusing their husbands when a dinner was ill-cooked or babes gave trouble, Mrs. Budge and Mrs. ”

“ It does, however, occasionally happen that two distinct households prove themselves capable of living in such proximity for a certain time without overt breach of the peace—nay, with a measure of satisfaction on both sides. ”

“ HERE and there in the more populous London suburbs you will find small houses built with a view to the accommodation of two families beneath the same roof. Considering the class of people for whom this advantage was contrived, the originator of the idea showed a singular faith in human nature. ”

“ It was possible to make a meal, of a sort, upon what lay before them, and the offered compensation would be clear gain. Not one had sufficient acuteness to see that, if they could claim damages at all, no condition need attach to the demand. ”