t countenance exhibited itself
at the window and requested in a mild voice to know, "What his good
friends wanted there?"

"We have come to settle Sam Barlow's tommy book," said their leader.

"Our shop is not open to-day my good friends: the account can stand
over; far be it from me to press the poor."

"Master Diggs," said a Hell-cat, "canst thou tell us the price of bacon
to-day?"

"Well, good bacon," said the elder Diggs willing to humour them, "may be
eightpence a-pound."

"Thou are wrong Master Diggs," said the Hell-cat, "'tis fourpence and
long credit. Let us see half a dozen good flitches at fourpence, Master
Diggs; and be quick."

There was evidently some controversy in the interior as to the course at
this moment to be pursued. Master Joseph remonstrated against the policy
of concession, called conciliation, which his father would fain follow,
and was for instant coercion; but age and experience carried the day,
and in a few minutes some flitches were thrown out of the window to the
Hell-cats who received the booty with a cheer.

The women returned.

"'Tis the tenpence a-pound flitch," said the comely dame examining the
prize with a sparkling glance.

"I have paid as much for very green stuff," said Mrs Mullins.

"And now Master Diggs," said Tummas, "what is the price of the best
tea a-pound? We be good customers, and mean to treat our wives and
sweethearts here. I think we must order half a chest."

This time there was a greater delay in complying with the gentle hint;
but the Hell-cats getting obstreperous, the tea was at length furnished
and divided among the women. This gracious office devolved on the wife
of Tummas who soon found herself assisted by a spontaneous committee of
which the comely dame was the most prominent and active member. Nothing
could be more considerate, good-natured, and officious, than the mode
and spirit with which she divided the stores. The flitches were cut up
and apportioned in like manner. The scene was as gay and hustling as a
fair.

"It's as good as a grand tommy day," said the comely dame with a
self-complacent smile as she strutted about smiling and dispensing
patronage.

The orders for bacon and tea were followed by a very popular demand
for cheese. The female committee received all the plunder and were very
active in its distribution. At length a rumour got about that Master
Joseph was entering the names of all present in the tommy books, so
that eventual