r with Mr Handycock, that he is so cross to you?"

"Vy, my dear, it is one of the misfortunes of matermony, that ven the
husband's put out, the vife is sure to have her share of it."

"Are you people coming down to dinner?" roared Mr Handycock from below.
"Yes, my dear," replied the lady; "I thought that you were washing your
hands." We descended into the dining-room, where we found that Mr
Handycock had already devoured two of the whitings, leaving only one on
the dish for his wife and me. "Vould you like a little bit of viting,
my dear?" said the lady to me. "It's not worth halving," observed the
gentleman, in a surly tone, taking up the fish with his own knife and
fork, and putting it on his plate.

"Well, I'm so glad you like them, my dear," replied the lady meekly;
then turning to me, "there's some nice roast _weal_ coming, my dear."

The veal made its appearance, and fortunately for us Mr Handycock could
not devour it all. He took the lion's share, nevertheless, cutting off
all the brown, and then shoving the dish over to his wife to help
herself and me.

After dinner, Mr Handycock went down to the cellar for a bottle of
wine. "O deary me!" exclaimed his wife, "he must have lost a mint of
money--we had better go upstairs and leave him alone; he'll be better
after a bottle of port, perhaps." I was very glad to go away, and being
very tired, I went to bed without any tea, for Mrs Handycock dared not
venture to make it before her husband came upstairs.

CHAPTER TWO.

FITTING OUT ON THE SHORTEST NOTICE--FORTUNATELY FOR ME THIS DAY MR.
HANDYCOCK IS NOT A BEAR, AND I FARE VERY WELL--I SET OFF FOR
PORTSMOUTH--BEHIND THE COACH I MEET A MAN BEFORE THE MAST--HE IS
DISGUISED WITH LIQUOR, BUT IS NOT THE ONLY DISGUISE I FALL IN WITH IN MY
JOURNEY.

The next morning Mr Handycock appeared to be in somewhat better humour.
One of the linendrapers who fitted out cadets, etcetera, "on the
shortest notice," was sent for, and orders given for my equipment, which
Mr Handycock insisted should be ready on the day afterwards, or the
articles would be left on his hands; adding, that my place was already
taken in the Portsmouth coach.

The man made his promise, took my measure, and departed; and soon
afterwards Mr Handycock also quitted the house.

At four o'clock Mr Handycock rapped at the door, and was let in--but
not by me. He ascended the stairs with three bounds, and coming into
the parlour, cried, "Well, Nancy,