"
"Fool as much as you will, mistress," said Dame Ursula, offended in
her turn, "but not so very many years older than yourself, mistress."
"Oh! we are angry, are we?" said the beauty; "and pray, Madam Ursula,
how come you, that are not so many years older than me, to talk about
such nonsense to me, who am so many years younger, and who yet have
too much sense to care about head-gears and Islington?"
"Well, well, young mistress," said the sage counsellor, rising, "I
perceive I can be of no use here; and methinks, since you know your
own matters so much better than other people do, you might dispense
with disturbing folks at midnight to ask their advice."
"Why, now you are angry, mother," said Margaret, detaining her; "this
comes of your coming out at eventide without eating your supper--I
never heard you utter a cross word after you had finished your little
morsel.--Here, Janet, a trencher and salt for Dame Ursula;--and what
have you in that porringer, dame?--Filthy clammy ale, as I would live
--Let Janet fling it out of the window, or keep it for my father's
morning draught; and she shall bring you the pottle of sack that was
set ready for him--good man, he will never find out the difference,
for ale will wash down his dusty calculations quite as well as wine."
"Truly, sweetheart, I am of your opinion," said Dame Ursula, whose
temporary displeasure vanished at once before these preparations for
good cheer; and so, settling herself on the great easy-chair, with a
three-legged table before her, she began to dispatch, with good
appetite, the little delicate dish which she had prepared for herself.
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