Visits and Sketches at Home and Abroad with Tales and Miscellanies Now First Collected Volume III Part 17

d.i.c.k.

Why, she said--she said as how I sung so fine, she couldn't sleep o'

mornings.

MARGERY.

Sleep o' mornings! that's a good joke! Let people sleep o' nights, I say.

d.i.c.k--(_solemnly._)

But she can't, poor soul, she's very ill; she has pains here, and pains there, and everywhere.

MARGERY.

Indeed! poor lady! then you mustn't disturb her no more, d.i.c.k, that's a sure thing.

d.i.c.k.

Ay, so I said; and so she gave me this.

[_Takes out the purse, and holds it up._

MARGERY--(_clapping her hands._)

O goodness! what a fine purse!--Is there any thing in it?

d.i.c.k--(_c.h.i.n.ks the money._)

Do ye hear that? Guess now.

MARGERY--(_timidly._)

Five s.h.i.+llings, perhaps, eh?

d.i.c.k.

Five s.h.i.+llings!--five guineas, girl.

MARGERY--(_with a scream._)

Five guineas! five guineas! (_skips about_) tal, lal, la! five guineas!

(_Runs and embraces her husband._) Oh, d.i.c.k! we'll be so rich and so happy. I want a power of things. I'll have a new gown--lavender, shall it be?--Yes, it shall be lavender; and a dimity petticoat; and a lace cap, like Mrs. Pinchtoe's, with pink ribbons--how she will stare! and I'll have two silver spoons, and a nutmeg-grater, and----

d.i.c.k.

Ho, ho, ho! what a jabber! din, din, din! You'll have this, and you'll have that! First, I'll have a good stock of neat's leather.

MARGERY.

Well, well, give me the purse; I'll take care of it.

[_s.n.a.t.c.hes at it._

d.i.c.k.

No, thankee, _I'll_ take care of it.

MARGERY--(_coaxing._)

You know I always keep the money, d.i.c.k!

d.i.c.k.

Ay, Meg, but I'll keep this, do ye mind?

MARGERY.

What! keep it all to yourself?--No, you won't; an't I your wife, and haven't I a right? I ax you that.

d.i.c.k.

Pooh! don't be bothering me.

MARGERY.

Come, give it me at once, there's a dear d.i.c.k!

d.i.c.k.

What, to waste it all in woman's nonsense and frippery? Don't be a fool!

we're rich, and we'll keep it safe.

MARGERY.

Why, where's the use of money but to spend? Come, come, I _will_ have it.

d.i.c.k.

Hey-day! you will?--You shan't; who's the master here, I say?

MARGERY--(_pa.s.sionately._)

Why, if you come to that, who's the mistress here, I say?

d.i.c.k.

Now, Meg, don't you go for to provoke me.

MARGERY.