‘Do tell me once for all, whether you intend to marry Mr Watts or not?’ ‘Law Mama, how can I tell you what I don't know myself?’

Before darkness fell, great dock fires were raging in the East End of London and this was followed by 247 planes bombing indiscriminately until near dawn. London was not to have another alertless night until 3 November.

he not having the money ready[…] filed a bill for a specific performance, evidently to gain time. The vendors filed a crossbill; and afterwards the purchaser became a bankrupt

When I'm hungry, there's hell to pay if I'm not fed quick.