"
Then she whipped to the other end of the table and stitched like
wild-fire. "Be pleased to cast your eyes on that, Mrs. Triplet. Pass it
to the lady, young gentleman. Fire away, Mr. Triplet, never mind us
women. Woffington's housewife, ma'am, fearful to the eye, only it holds
everything in the world, and there is a small space for everything
else--to be returned by the bearer. Thank you, sir." (Stitches away like
lightning at the coat.) "Eat away, children! now is your time; when once
I begin, the pie will soon end; I do everything so quick."
_Roxalana._ "The lady sews quicker than you, mother."
_Woffington._ "Bless the child, don't come so near my sword-arm; the
needle will go into your eye, and out at the back of your head."
This nonsense made the children giggle.
"The needle will be lost--the child no more--enter undertaker--house
turned topsy-turvy--father shows Woffington to the door--off she goes
with a face as long and dismal as some people's comedies--no
names--crying fine chan-ey oranges."
The children, all but Lucy, screeched with laughter.
Lucy said gravely:
"Mother, the lady is very funny."
"You will be as funny when you are as well paid for it."
This just hit poor Trip's notion of humor, and he began to choke, with
his mouth full of pie.
"James, take care," said Mrs. Triplet, sad and solemn.
James looked up.
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