While the Billy Boils. Henry Lawson

(to Jack): “If you can't behave yourself, leave the table.”

      Tom [Corney, probably]: “He says in Progress and—”

      Missus: “Shoo!”

      Neighbour: “I think 'Lookin' Backwards' is more—”

      Missus: “Shoo! Shoo! Tom, can't you see that fowl?”

      Selector: “Now I think 'Caesar's Column' is more likely—Just look at—”

      Missus: “Shoo! Shoo!”

      Selector: “Just look at the French Revolution.”

      Corney: “Now, Henry George-”

      Tom: “Marther! I seen a old-man kangaroo up on—”

      Missus: “Shut up! Eat your dinner an' hold your tongue. Carn't you see someone's speakin'?”

      Selector: “Just look at the French—”

      Missus (to the fowls): “Shoo! Shoo!” (turning suddenly and unexpectedly on Jacky): “Take your fingers out of the sugar!—Blast yer! that I should say such a thing.”

      Neighbour: “But 'Lookin' Backwards”'

      Missus: “There you go, Tom! Didn't I say you'd spill that tea? Go away from the table!”

      Selector: “I think 'Caesar's Column' is the only natural—”

      Missus: “Shoo! Shoo!” She loses patience, gets up and fetches a young rooster with the flat of the broom, sending him flying into the yard; he falls with his head towards the door and starts in again. Later on the conversation is about Deeming.

      Selector: “There's no doubt the man's mad—”

      Missus: “Deeming! That Windsor wretch! Why, if I was in the law I'd have him boiled alive! Don't tell me he didn't know what he was doing! Why, I'd have him—”

      Corney: “But, missus, you—”

      Missus (to the fowls): “Shoo! Shoo!”