It is a eye I never knew to fail with paupers.

If it fails with her, my power is gone.') Whether an exceedingly small expansion of eye be sufficient to quell paupers, who, being lightly fed, are in no very high condition; or whether the late Mrs.Corney was particularly proof against eagle glances; are matters of opinion.

The matter of fact, is, that the matron was in no way overpowered by Mr.Bumble's scowl, but, on the contrary, treated it with great disdain, and even raised a laugh thereat, which sounded as though it were genuine.
On hearing this most unexpected sound, Mr.Bumble looked, first incredulous, and afterwards amazed.

He then relapsed into his former state; nor did he rouse himself until his attention was again awakened by the voice of his partner.
'Are you going to sit snoring there, all day ?' inquired Mrs.Bumble.
'I am going to sit here, as long as I think proper, ma'am,' rejoined Mr.Bumble; 'and although I was _not_ snoring, I shall snore, gape, sneeze, laugh, or cry, as the humour strikes me; such being my prerogative.' '_Your_ prerogative!' sneered Mrs.Bumble, with ineffable contempt.
'I said the word, ma'am,' said Mr.Bumble.

'The prerogative of a man is to command.' 'And what's the prerogative of a woman, in the name of Goodness ?' cried the relict of Mr.Corney deceased.
'To obey, ma'am,' thundered Mr.Bumble.