in purchases, and with
that sum those purchases must be made. It was not of the least use to
explain failure by an unexpected rise in prices, or the fact that the
article required could not be had at a given time. Mr Benden expected
perfection--in every one but himself. Excuses, many and often very
poor, were admitted for that favoured individual, but no other had a
chance to offer any.

On the present occasion, Alice had ten shillings for her marketing, with
which she was expected to provide six rabbits, a dozen pigeons,
twenty-four eggs, five yards of buckram, a black satin cap and a brown
silk doublet for her husband, a pair of shoes for herself, and sundry
things at the spicer's. The grocer, or grosser, as the word was
originally spelt, only sold wholesale, and his stock as we have it was
divided among the spicer, pepperer, and treacle-monger. That her money
would not stretch thus far Alice well knew, and she knew also that if
she were to avoid a scolding, Mr Benden's personal wants must be
supplied, whatever became of her own. Her first call, therefore, was at
the capper's for the satin cap, which cost one shilling and eightpence;
then at the tailor's for the doublet, which took four and sixpence; then
she paid ninepence for the pigeons, which were for Mr Benden's personal
eating; and next she went to the spicer's. A sugarloaf she must have,
expensive as it was, for her tyrant required his dishes sweet, and
demanded that the result should be effected by dainty sugar, not like
common people by honey or treacle: nor did she dare to omit the
currants, since he liked currant cake with his cheese and ale. Two
pounds of prunes, and four of rice, she meant to add; but those were not
especially for him, and must be left out if needful. When she had
reached this point, Alice paused, and counted up what money she had
left.

"Doublet, 4 shillings 6 pence; cap, 1 shilling 8 pence; pigeons, 9
pence; sugarloaf, 7 pence; currants, 1 shilling: total, 8 shillings 6
pence." Thus ran Alice's calculations. "Only eighteenpence left. The
other things I wanted will come to 6 shillings 9 pence. What can I do
without?"

The buckram must go: that was the heaviest article in the list, five
yards at ninepence a yard. Alice's Sunday gown must be worn without a
new lining for a while longer. Two rabbits instead of six, at twopence
a piece; three pennyworth of eggs at eight a penny: these she could
scarcely do without. The sh