Mrs.Sprowl seemed familiar with the appearance of this monster; she addressed him rather bad-temperedly, but otherwise much as she would have spoken to any other customer.
"No, you don't, Slimy! No, you don't! What you have in this house you pay for in coppers, so you know.

Next time I catch you tryin' to ring the changes, I'll have you run in, and then you'll get a warm bath, which you wouldn't partic'lar care for." The creature spoke, in hoarse, jumbled words, not easy to catch unless you listened closely.
"If you've any accusion to make agin me, Mrs.Sprowl, p'r'aps you'll wait till you can prove it.

I want change for arf a suvrin: ain't that straight, now ?" "Straight or not, you won't get no change over this counter, so there you've the straight tip.

Now sling yer 'ook, Slimy, an' get it somewhere else." "If you've any accusion to make--" "Hold yer noise!--What's he ordered, Liz ?" "Pot o' old six," answered the girl.
"Got sixpence, Slimy ?" "No, I ain't, Mrs.Sprowl," muttered the creature.

"I've got arf a suvrin." "Then go an' get change for it.