ng
fond of young and cheerful society. So you see--'

'Yes, yes,' said Mrs. Chikno, 'I see what I before thought, that it was
altogether in the uncertificated line.'

'Meklis,' said Mrs. Petulengro, 'I use your own word, madam, which is
Romany--for my own part, I am not fond of using Romany words, unless I
can hope to pass them off for French, which I cannot in the present
company. I heartily wish that there was no such language, and do my best
to keep it away from my children, lest the frequent use of it should
altogether confirm them in low and vulgar habits. I have four children,
madam, but--'

'I suppose by talking of your four children you wish to check me for
having none,' said Mrs. Chikno, bursting into tears; 'if I have no
children, sister, it is no fault of mine, it is--but why do I call you
sister?' said she, angrily, 'you are no sister of mine, you are a grasni
{32}--a regular mare--a pretty sister, indeed, ashamed of your own
language. I remember well that by your high-flying notions you drove
your own mother--'

'We will drop it,' said Mrs. Petulengro; 'I do not wish to raise my
voice, and to make myself ridiculous. Young gentleman,' said she, 'pray
present my compliments to Miss Isopel Berners, and inform her that I am
very sorry that I cannot accept her polite invitation. I am just
arrived, and have some slight domestic matters to see to, amongst others,
to wash my children's faces; but that in the course of the forenoon, when
I have attended to what I have to do, and have dressed myself, I hope to
do myself the honour of paying her a regular visit, you will tell her
that with my compliments. With respect to my husband he can answer for
himself, as I, not being of a jealous disposition, never interferes with
his matters.'

'And tell Miss Berners,' said Mr. Petulengro, 'that I shall be happy to
wait upon her in company with my wife as soon as we are regularly
settled: at present I have much on my hands, having not only to pitch my
own tent, but this here jealous woman's, whose husband is absent on my
business.'

Thereupon I returned to the dingle, and, without saying anything about
Mrs. Chikno's observations, communicated to Isopel the messages of Mr.
and Mrs. Petulengro. Isopel made no other reply than by replacing in her
coffer two additional cups and saucers, which, in expectation of company,
she had placed upon the board. The kettle was by this time boiling. We
sat down, and as we bre