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Lady S. And you are sure you let them understand it was all to please your own curiosity.

Pry. To be sure; and I was glad I could speak the truth too, for I never does tell a lie but when I cannot get a turn served without it. I remember, my Lady, you told me long ago that this was the best rule; and I have always held you up, my Lady, for an ensample. Lord have mercy upon their souls that will tell you over a pack of lies for no other purpose but to make people laugh! And there is all your writers of books too, full of stories from one end to the other, what will become of them, poor sinners?

Lady S. Never trouble your head about them: what have you seen?

Pry. O dear me! the sheets and the table linen, and the pickles, and the sweetmeats, and the hams, and the bacon that I have seen?

Lady S. Indeed, Pry!

Pry. But do you know, my Lady, there is a curious place in the house.

Lady S. What is it, pray?

Pry. A closet where they keep cordials for poor people.

Lady S. (sourly.) Humph.

Pry. It was kept for that purpose by the late Mrs. Seabright, and this young lady, I am told, is as fond of it as her mother was.

Lady S. Humph—every body has some maggot or other.