good man would not accept, saying that they were forbidden to drink while on duty. I was so surprised at finding such virtue in the police force--especially when I recollected how I had been treated by that big-whiskered monkey--who had winked at me, that I took a good look at this noble man, and at once knew from the quantity of hair about the jackanapes’ face that he was the identical fellow who had not only kissed his hand to me, but had also wanted himself to partake of whatever there might be in my larder. So I sent him off with a flea in his ear; and then turning round sharp upon Miss Susan, I told her that she would go that day month, as sure as her name was Susan, and that I hoped and trusted she would let this be a warning to her--for I knew very well that I could easily pretend to make it up with her again, and so keep her on a month or six weeks after my confinement. The next day I received a very proper letter from Edward, informing me he was afraid that business would detain him at Kingston for another week, and a very unladylike and rude letter from Mrs. Yapp, the mother of Edward’s poor dear deceased first wife, telling my husband she would be in town to-morrow, and that she purposed making her dear boy’s house her home so long as she remained in London. Oh, gracious goodness! I said to myself, what will my poor husband do under this awful visitation? for if one mother-in-law is more than he can bear, what on earth will he do when he finds himself afflicted with two?--and the worst of it all was, that I saw that during my confinement--but, alas! I must reserve this for another chapter. CHAPTER VIII. WHICH TREATS OF MRS. YAPP, MRS. B--FF--N, MRS. TOOSYPEGS, LITTLE MISS SK--N--ST--N, AND FLY-AWAY MISS SUSAN. “It was one winter’s day, about six in the morn, When my little innocent creature was born; There were doctor, and nurse, and a great many more, But none of them saw such a baby before.” POPULAR SONG.