_Re-enter_ Mistress MULLIGRUB, _with servants and furniture for the table_. _Mistress Mul._ Come, spread these table diaper napkins, and--do you hear--perfume this parlour; does so smell of profane tobacco. I could never endure this ungodly tobacco, since one of our elders assured me, upon his knowledge, tobacco was not used in the congregation of the family of love. Spread, spread handsomely--Lord? these boys do things arsy-versy--you show your bringing up. I was a gentlewoman by my sister's side--I can tell ye so methodically. Methodically! I wonder where I got that word? O! Sir Aminadab Ruth bad me kiss him methodically!--I had it somewhere, and I had it indeed. 63 _Enter_ Master MULLIGRUB. _Mul._ Mind, be not desperate; I'll recover all. All things with me shall seem honest that can be profitable, He must ne'er winch, that would or thrive or save, To be call'd niggard, cuckold, cut-throat, knave! _Mistress Mul._ Are they come, husband? _Mul._ Who?--what?--how now? What feast towards in my private parlour? 70 _Mistress Mul._ Pray leave your foolery! What, are they come? _Mul._ Come--who come? _Mistress Mul._ You need not make't so strange! _Mul._ Strange? _Mistress Mul._ Ay, strange. You know no man that sent me word that he and his wife would come to dinner to me, and sent this jole of fresh salmon beforehand? _Mul._ Peace--not I--peace! The messenger hath mistaken the house; let's eat it up quickly before it be inquired for. Sit to it--some vinegar--quick! Some good luck yet. Faith, I never tasted salmon relish better! Oh! when a man feeds at other men's cost! 83 _Mistress Mul._ Other men's cost! Why, did not you send this jole of salmon? _Mul._ No. _Mistress Mul._ By Master Burnish'[71] man? _Mul._ No. _Mistress Mul._ Sending me word that he and his wife would come to dinner to me? 90 _Mul._ No, no. _Mistress Mul._ To season my new bowl? _Mul._ Bowl! _Mistress Mul._ And withal will'd me to send the bowl back. _Mul._ Back! _Mistress Mul._ That you might have your arms graved on the side? _Mul._ Ha! _Mistress Mul._ By the same token you were dry-shaven this morning before you went forth. 101 _Mul._ Pah! how this salmon stinks! _Mistress Mul._ And thereupon sent the bowl back, prepar'd dinner--nay, and I bear not a brain. _Mul._ Wife, do not vex me! Is the bowl gone?--is it deliver'd? _Mistress Mul._ Deliver'd! Yes, sure, 'tis deliver'd. _Mul._ I will never more say my prayers. Do not make me mad; 'tis common. Let me not cry like a woman. Is it gone? 110