_Mrs. Brul._ And what do you want, now, with Mrs. Brulgruddery? What's to become of us? tell me that. How are we going on, I shou'd like to know? _Dennis._ Mighty like a mile-stone--standing still, at this present writing. _Mrs. Brul._ A pretty situation we are in truly! _Dennis._ Yes;--upon Muckslush Heath, and be damn'd to it. _Mrs. Brul._ And, where is the fortune I brought you? _Dennis._ All swallow'd up by the Red Cow. _Mrs. Brul._ Ah! had you follow'd my advice, we shou'd never have been in such a quandary. _Dennis._ Tunder and turf! didn't yourself advise me to take this public house? _Mrs. Brul._ No matter for that. I had a relation who always kept it. But, who advised you to drink out all the brandy? _Dennis._ No matter for that. I had a relation who always drank it. _Mrs. Brul._ Ah! my poor dear Mr. Skinnygauge never brought tears into my eyes, as you do! [_Crying._ _Dennis._ I know that--I saw you at his funeral. _Mrs. Brul._ You're a monster! _Dennis._ Am I?--Keep it to yourself, then, my lambkin. _Mrs. Brul._ You'll be the death of me; you know you will. _Dennis._ Look up, my sweet Mrs. Brulgruddery! while I give you a small morsel of consolation. _Mrs. Brul._ Consolation indeed! _Dennis._ Yes--There's a customer coming. _Mrs. Brul._ [_Brightening._] What! _Dennis._ A customer. Turn your neat jolly face over the Heath, yonder. Look at Dan, towing him along, as snug as a cock salmon into a fish basket. _Mrs. Brul._ Jimminy, and so there is! Oh, my dear Dennis! But I knew how it would be, if you had but a little patience. Remember, it was all by my advice you took the Red Cow. _Dennis._ Och ho! it was, was it? _Mrs. Brul._ I'll run, and spruce myself up a bit. Aye, aye, I hav'n't prophesied a customer to-day for nothing. [_Goes into the House._ _Dennis._ Troth, and it's prophesying on the sure side, to foretell a thing when it has happen'd. _Enter DAN, conducting PEREGRINE--PEREGRINE carrying a small Trunk under his Arm._ _Pereg._ I am indifferent about accommodations. _Dan._ Our'n be a comfortable parlour, zur: you'll find it clean: for I wash'd un down mysen, wringing wet, five minutes ago. _Pereg._ You have told me so, twenty times. _Dan._ This be the Red Cow, zur, as you may see by the pictur; and here be measter--he'll treat ye in a hospital manner, zur, and show you a deal o' contention. _Dennis._ I'll be bound, sir, you'll get good entertainment, whether you are a man or a horse. _Pereg._ You may lodge me as either, friend. I can sleep as well in a stable as a bedchamber; for travel has season'd me.--Since I have preserved this [_Half aside, and pointing to the Trunk under his Arm_], I can lay my head upon it with tranquility, and repose any where. _Dennis._ 'Faith, it seems a mighty decent, hard bolster. What is it stuff'd with, I wonder? _Pereg._ That which keeps the miser awake--money.