"Yes," assented Mrs. Budd. "And 'im ben allus so respectable. And mind you, Doctor--I will say this for 'im: I don't believe it would 'ave 'appened only for the little gel bein' so porely. I told 'im what you said about givin' 'er nourishing food, and 'e seems, as you might say, to 'ave got it on the brain. The job what 'e went after yesterday morning, 'e never got it after all; and in the evening 'e took this 'am."
"I'm sure we all agree with you," said Mrs. Budd. "'Im to 'ave bin a uniformed porter for all these years and now to turn thief."
"The Ingrate," observed my friend. "How is it that he has ceased to wear the uniform of a porter?"
"Well, sir, you see, sir," explained his patient, "the company's trade been so bad they was forced to reduce. Mine, 'e on'y went with the last 'underd, and if he'd been a younger man they would 'a kep' him on. They give 'im a splendid reference; and now--if it wasn't for the children, Doctor, I could do away with meself, to think 'e should so disgrace 'isself. It was a big 'am, sir; they say 'e will get three months. But if any gentleman, same as you, sir, was to say a word for 'im, perhaps they would make it lighter. It won't do away with the disgrace, sir; but perhaps it would come easier for Budd. Though I'm sure 'e don't deserve no pity."
"I should think not," assented Doctor Brink. "After being a uniformed porter for all those years. And a _big_ ham, too."
"And the best quality, also," said Mrs. Budd.
"And from a Poor Law Guardian," added Doctor Brink.
"They tell me," continued Mrs. Budd, "that he never orfered no resistance. I 'ope you will think of that, Doctor, when you are considering it over.
"'Is father was an ironmonger, once, in a good way of business; but he took to drink and women, and the 'ome was broke up. Mine, 'e had to go out and shift for 'isself as a lad of twelve. It's no excuse for stealin' 'ams, of course; but--you never know. Perhaps this wouldn't never 'ave 'appened if 'is bringin' up was different. 'E's allus bin a sober man 'isself; but when a person is brought up rough it is bound to show itself some'ow.
"I am sorry to say we eat the 'am; for 'e brought it 'ome and never said nothing to nobody, and we was all of us glad of the food. The little girl, she _did_ enjoy it, pore lamb. She don't know now but what it was honest meat.
