Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 17.djvu/252

246 gates, and furnish the kitchen. John's sister Peg only desired, that he would let his servants sing psalms a Sundays. Some descended even to the asking of old clothes, shoes, and boots, broken bottles, tobacco-pipes, and ends of candles.

"Monsieur Bull," quoth Lewis, "you seem to be a man of some breeding: for God's sake, use your interest with these messieurs, that they would speak but one at once; for if one had a hundred pair of hands, and as many tongues, he cannot satisfy them all at this rate." John begged they might proceed with some method: then they stopped all of a sudden, and would not say a word. "If this be your play," quoth John, "that we may not be like a quaker's dumb meeting, let us begin some diversion? what d'ye think of rolly pooly, or a country dance? What if we should have a match at football; I am sure we shall never end matters at this rate."

URING this general cessation of talk, what if you and I, Nic., should inquire how money-matters stand between us?

N F. With all my heart, I love exact dealing; and let Hocus audit; he knows how the money was disbursed. J. B.