Page:Merry tales of the wise men of Gotham (10).pdf/22

22 and in the ale-house I pray to God to speed my husband, and I am sure my prayers will do him more good than my labour. Then said the second, I. am profitable to my husband in saving of candle in winter, for I cause my husband and all my people to go to bed by day-light and rise by day- light. The third said, I am pro- fitable in sparing bread, for I drink a gallon of ale, and I care not much for meat. The fourth said, I am loath to spend meat and drink at home, so I go to the tavern at Nottingham and drink wine, and such other things as God sends me there. The fifth said, A man will ever have more company is another's house than his own, and most commonly in the alehouse. The sixth said, My husband has flax and wool to spare, if I go to other folks' houses to do their work. The seventh said, I spare my husband's wood and clothes, & sit all day talking at other folks' fires. The eighth said, Beet, mutton, and pork are dear, I therefore take pigs, chick- ens, conies, and capons, being of a les