The Boarding House

           Mrs.Mooneywasabutcher’sdaughter.Shewasawomanwhowasquiteabletokeepthingstoherself:adeterminedwoman.Shehadmarriedherfather’sforemanandopenedabutcher’sshopnearSpringGardens.Butassoonashisfather-in-lawwasdeadMr.Mooneybegantogotothedevil.Hedrank,plunderedthetill,ranheadlongintodebt.Itwasnousemakinghimtakethepledge:hewassuretobreakoutagainafewdaysafter.Byfightinghiswifeinthepresenceofcustomersandbybuyingbadmeatheruinedhisbusiness.Onenighthewentforhiswifewiththecleaverandshehadtosleepaneighbour’shouse.

           Afterthattheylivedapart.Shewenttothepriestandgotaseparationfromhimwithcareofthechildren.Shewouldgivehimneithermoneynorfoodnorhouse-room;andsohewasobligedtoenlisthimselfasasheriff’sman.Hewasashabbystoopedlittledrunkardwithawhitefaceandawhitemoustachewhiteeyebrows,pencilledabovehislittleeyes,whichwereveinedandraw;andalldaylonghesatinthebailiff’sroom,waitingtobeputonajob.Mrs.Mooney,whohadtakenwhatremainedofhermoneyoutofthebutcherbusinessandsetupaboardinghouseinHardwickeStreet,wasabigimposingwoman.HerhousehadafloatingpopulationmadeupoftouristsfromLiverpoolandtheIsleofManand,occasionally,artistesfromthemusichalls.Itsresidentpopulationwasmadeupofclerksfromthecity.Shegovernedthehousecunninglyandfirmly,knewwhentogivecredit,whentobesternandwhentoletthingspass.