[Adrian Fry]

Jack Sprat possessed a remarkable antipathy to the consumption of adipose matter,
Refusing even to contemplate the ingestion of any such should it appear on his platter.
But before a menu-related solution be suggested, one must first make reference
To the circumstance that his wife expressed a relevant, albeit divergent, dietary preference.

Mrs Sprat – considerable historical research notwithstanding, her full name is unknown –
Manifested a prandial peculiarity of equal distinction and, even at this vantage, uniquely her own.
She found herself unable and unwilling to introduce lean meat via her mouth to her digestive tract.
Astute logicians will doubtless be able to outline the likely terms of the consequent marital pact.

Essentially, each marital partner, being able to accommodate the foodstuffs inimical to their spouse,
Acted as a mirror or photo-negative of the other, yet collaborating to bring order to the house
Upon those occasions – perhaps during periods of austerity coupled with high price inflation –
When a cleared plate came to symbolise thrift and tenacity in the face of economic privation.