Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 1.djvu/491

Rh me in making the coffee; whereas a lady of modern good breeding would have struggled with me for the coffeepot, until she had made me scald myself and her, and made me throw the coffee in the fire, or perhaps at her head, rather than permit me to take so much trouble for her."

Mrs. Pilkington staid at home with the dean during the time of the afternoon's service; and he made her read his History of the last Session of Parliament, and the Peace of Utrecht, written at Windsor in 1713, asking her at the conclusion of every period, whether she understood it? "for I would," said he, "have it intelligible to the meanest capacity; and, if you comprehend it, it is possible every body may."

She accompanied the dean to evening prayer; and on their return to the deanery, he told Mr. and Mrs. Pilkington, that he gave them leave to stay to supper; which, from him, was a sufficient invitation.

The dean then missing his golden bottlescrew, told Mrs. Pilkington very sternly, he was sure she had stolen it. She affirmed very seriously, she had not. Upon which he looked for it: and found it where he himself had laid it: "It is well for you," said he, "that I have got it, or I would have charged you with theft." "Why, pray, sir," said she, "should I be suspected more than any other person in the company?" "For a very good reason," said he, "because you are the poorest."

At their going away, the dean handed Mrs. Pilkington down all the steps to the coach, thanking them for the honour of their company, at the same time slipping into her hand as much money as Mr. Pilkington and she had given at the offering in the morning,