"Perhaps I may please them no better, _Prue_," said I, "however, I'll try." And as I proceeded to take her Place, I heard Mr. _Paul_ (that's to say, Mr. _Caryl_,) observe to Sir _Charles_, "Humph! we've lost _Rachel_ and got _Leah_." This was not over-civil; but I took no notice. "Now then," cries Lady _Betty_, in high Good-Humour, "I'll make you what we have called a _Petersham_ Chicken, ever since Lady _Caroline's_ Frolick. Here are seven of us, and here are seven Chickens, which must, in the first Place, be finely minced; so let each take one." And while every one was laughing and mincing their Chicken, she pulls off ever so many diamond Rings from her white Fingers, and gives them to her Woman to hold. "Don't trouble yourself, my _Lord_," says she, carelessly, as he stoops to pick up one she had let fall on the Grass, "_Gatty_ will find it. Here, Child, take them all; and," (aside with a Frown), "be sure you don't lose them. Now, _Pompey_! the spirit-Lamp; three pats of Butter, and a Flaggon of spring Water. The only variation I make in Lady _Caroline's_ cookery is to stew my Chicken in a silver Stew-Pan, instead of in a China Dish, which might crack over the Lamp. Prithee, _Pompey_, don't let the Grass grow under your Feet!" Methought, if her Ladyship had been _obliged_ to cook her own Supper, she would have considered herself demeaned by it very much: however, there is nothing that Quality will not do for a Freak. By and by, she gets tired of stewing her Chicken over the Lamp, and bids the young Person she calls _Gatty_ to carry it in-doors and dress it over the Fire. "And be sure, Child, not to let it burn." As I did not seem wanted, I shewed Mrs. _Gatty_ the way to the Kitchen, and stood by while she stirred the Stew-Pan over the Fire. "I'm ready to drop!" says she, at length. "No wonder," said I, taking the silver Spoon from her, and using it myself, "you have never once sat down since you left the Boat, and 'tis the Dog-Days. Rest awhile, and I'll mind the Chicken." "Thank you heartily," says she, dropping into a Seat, and turning from Red to White, and then Red again. "May I take a draught of this cold Water?" "Aye, and welcome," said I, "so that you're not afraid of drinking it while you're so hot." "Oh, I'm not afraid," says she, drinking plentifully of it, and setting down the Mug with a Sigh of relief. "I'm better now, but there was such a glare upon the River." "Are you her Ladyship's Woman?" said I. With that, she fetches a deep Sigh; and, says she, "I'm no better, now, and a hard Life to me it is. I am the Daughter of a poor Country Curate, who died and left a large Family penniless: but my _Mother_, who married him for love, had high Connections; so Lady _Betty_ takes me for her Woman, partly, as she says, out of Charity, and partly because she prefers being served by a decayed Person of Condition. I have twenty Pounds by the Year, and indeed 'tis hardly earned." "That I can well believe," said I. "But