what I want now's a good substantial feed -- Leigh-Collins 1919

Speranza 1919 my old man said: "Foller the van, and don't dilly-dally on the way". off went the van wiv me 'ome packed in it. I walked be'ind wiv me old cock linnet. but I dillied and dallied, ballied and dillied; lost me way and don't know where to roam. you can't trust a "Special" like the old-time copper when you can't find your way home. we had to move away 'cos the rent we couldn't pay. the moving van came round just after dark. there was me and my old man, shoving things inside the van, which we'd often done before, let me remark. we packed all that could be packed in the van, and that's a fact. and we got inside all that we could get inside. then we packed all we could pack on the tailboard at the back, till there wasn't any room for me to ride. I gave a helping hand with the marble wash hand-stand, and straight, we wasn't getting on so bad. all at once, the car-man bloke had an accident and broke, well, the nicest bit of china that we had. you'll understand, of course, I was cross about the loss. same as any other human woman would. but I soon got over that, what with "two out" and a chat, 'cos it's little things like that what does you good. o I'm in such a mess. I don't know the new address - don't even know the blessed neighbourhood. and I feel as if I might have to stay out here all night. and that ain't a goin' to do me any good. I don't make no complaint but I'm coming over faint, what I want now's a good substantial feed, and I sort 'o kind 'o feel, if I don't soon have a meal, I shall have to rob the linnet of its seed! Collins-Leigh.