Mrs.Hawkshaw was the first to ask: 'What can it be?
More trouble with him?
He's in his bed-room now.' 'Mad with drink, like Dandy, perhaps,' said Mrs.Mel.
'Hark!' cried the landlady.

'Oh!' It seemed that Old Tom was bouncing about in an extraordinary manner.
Now came a pause, as if he had sworn to take his rest: now the room shook and the windows rattled.
'One 'd think, really, his bed was a frying-pan, and him a live fish in it,' said the landlady.

'Oh--there, again! My goodness! have he got a flea ?' The thought was alarming.

Mrs.Mel joined in: 'Or a ------' 'Don't! don't, my dear!' she was cut short.

'Oh! one o' them little things 'd be ruin to me.