song, and a song we must have."

"I don't know one--upon my honour I don't," cried Vanslyperken.

"Then, we'll larn you. And now you repeat after me."

"'Poll put her arms a-kimbo.' Sing--come, out with it." And the poker
was again advanced.

"O God!" cried Vanslyperken.

"Sing, or by Heavens I'll shorten your nose! Sing, I say," repeated the
woman, advancing the poker so as actually to singe the skin.

"Take it away, and I will," cried Vanslyperken, breathless.

"Well then, 'Poll put her arms a-kimbo.'"

"'Poll put her arms a-kimbo,'" repeated Vanslyperken.

"That's saying, not singing," cried the woman. "Now again. 'At the
admiral's house looked she.'"

"'At the admiral's house looked she,'" replied Vanslyperken, in a
whining tone.

Thus, with the poker staring him in the face, was Vanslyperken made to
repeat the very song for singing which he would have flogged Jemmy
Ducks. There was, however, a desperate attempt to avoid the last stanza.

"I'll give you a bit of my mind, old boy,
Port Admiral, you be d----d."

Nothing but the tip of his nose actually burnt would have produced these
last words; but fear overcame him, and at last they were repeated. Upon
which all the women shouted and shrieked with laughter, except Moggy,
who continued sipping her port wine.

"Your good health, Mr Vanslyperken," said Moggy, drinking to him.

Vanslyperken wiped the perspiration off his forehead, and made no reply.

"You call yourself a gentleman, and not drink the health of the lady of
the house!" cried virago Mrs Slamkoe. "I'll hargue this point with
you again."

The same never-failing argument was used, and Mr Vanslyperken drank Mrs
Salisbury's health in a glass of the port wine which he was to have the
pleasure of paying for.

"I must say, Mr Vanslyperken," said Moggy, "it was very hard for to wish
to flog my poor Jemmy for singing a song which you have just now been
singing yourself."

"Did he want to flog your Jemmy for that?"

"Yes, he did indeed, ladies."

"Then as sure as I stand here, and may this punch be my poison, if he
sha'n't beg your pardon on his knees. Sha'n't he, girls?" cried
Mrs Slamkoe.

"Yes, yes, that he shall, or we'll poke him with the poker."

This was a dreadful threat, but the indignity was so great, that
Vanslyperken attempted to resist. It was, however, in vain; he was
forced to go on his knees, and ask Mrs Salisbury's pardon.

"Indeed, ladies, I do not wish it," s