By this means the wench became a great Enemy to the boy, and did him many shrew’d turns, but durst not meddle with his body politick, dreading the danger she should run into by the harmes of others who had been his persecutors; wherefore she was forced to let him alone as to matter of action, only now and then she would exercise her wit upon him, in which she seldome came off but with the disadvantage. She was famous for this her trick of activity, by which she got money, but much more by another, which she soon after effected, and came more clearly off with it: It was then in time of rebellion, and all observations of _Christmas_, _Easter_, _Whitsontide_, or any Holy-days, were by the Factious accounted superstitious, especially any observation of _Christmas_; and therefore, the more to cross the desire and humour of those who would observe the feast of _Christmas_, the men then in power commanded a strict fast to be on that day kept and observed, with penalties on all those who should dress any victuals; and althorough the Town, and especially our house, was of another perswation, yet such was the prevalency of the Faction, that it, was strictly observed; & it was given out that the Officers of the Town would search houses, to find and punish Offenders. Our Cook-maid hearing of this, was resolved to put a trick upon the Officers; who about the middle of Sermon time came attended with a Guard, to see and examine our Kitching, where they found not the Jack a going, yet they found a good fire, and the pot a boyling: _How now_, said Master Church warden, _How dare you break the Lawes, by dressing victuals on this day? What have you in the Pot?_ Quoth the Maid, _Nothing but plumb porridg? How,_ said the Church-warden, _Superstitious Porridg? this is a very great offence, and deserves as great punishment, to do thus in contempt of the Laws; I will see your Master fined for this, and severely punished. Well_, replyed she, _but I pray, Master_ Church-warden, _be not so angry, but be pacified; which I know you will be, when you see further what is in the Pot, and with what the porridge are made; and lest you should mistake I will shew you_; whereupon she went to the Pot and took out a large pair of Rams-horns, and said, _Look you_, Master Church-warden, _this is the meat; how like you it? I hope so well, that you will tast of the broath your self without scruple of conscience?_ The case was so plain, and Master-Church-warden was so sensible that he was jeer’d, that he made all possible haste out of the house, threatning what he would do to the Wench, who now only laughed at him, as did some of his attendants, who knew the Church-warden was very sensible of the affront, his wife being one of those who wore cork-heeld shoes, which made her pass for a light Huswife, as indeed she was.