FATHER          Go on, get over there in your corner! You’ll get no supper tonight, you lazy dog! 

MOTHER        But John, the poor boy’s been out since sunrise, he must be starving! 

FATHER          Well maybe he’ll do some begging tomorrow and bring some money in. What’s he brought home all this week? Two measly pennies, that’s all. In a whole week! No wonder we never have any food to eat! 

SIS 1               But you spend so much on drink pa, it’s not fair! 

FATHER          You hold your tongue girl! I decide what’s fair and what’s not fair in this house, I decide what the money’s spent on, and your job is just to go out and earn it. Fine children you are, causing your parents so much trouble and anguish. I don’t know, you sweat and toil your way through life, making sacrifices, doing your damnedest to bring ‘em up as good, honest respectful kids, and what do you get in return? (shouts) Nothing, that’s what!  

MOTHER        Don’t be too hard on them John, heaven knows life’s bad enough for them as it is. It’s a wonder they’ve lived this long with all the disease and starvation in this filthy city. 

FATHER         Pah, you’re too soft on them, that’s your trouble. I’ve seen you feeding them scraps in the night when you think I’m not looking. Selfish little beggars, that’s what they are, except that they don’t do no begging, do they Tom? (kicks TOM) They just swan around putting on airs and graces, pretending to be princes and bringing shame on their poor father! (he goes to hit TOM, who shies away) 

MOTHER        Don’t hit the boy John, he’s so small, he can’t defend himself. 

FATHER          Maybe you’d rather I hit you instead then, eh? (he threatens her and she cowers away from him) Bah, you ungrateful lot, after all I’ve done for you! You make me sick! (he storms out, MOTHER and SISTERS go to comfort TOM)