Cit.—­How does your ladyship know he does so then?

Lady.—­Why, I know he used another lady saucily, because she gave him a great deal of trouble, as he called it, and did not buy.

Cit.—­Was it the lady that told you so herself, Madam?

Lady.—­I don’t know, really, I have forgot who it was; but I have such a notion in my head, and I don’t care to try, for I hate the sauciness of shopkeepers when they don’t understand themselves.

Cit.—­Well; but, Madam, perhaps it may be a mistake—­and the lady that told you was not the person neither?

Lady.—­Oh, Madam, I remember now who told me; it was my Lady Tattle, when I was at Mrs Whymsy’s on a visiting day; it was the talk of the whole circle, and all the ladies took notice of it, and said they would take care to shun that shop.

Cit.—­Sure, Madam, the lady was strangely used; did she tell any of the particulars?

Lady.—­No; I did not understand that she told the particulars, for it seems it was not to her, but to some other lady, a friend of hers; but it was all one; the company took as much notice of it as if it had been to her, and resented it as much, I assure you.

Cit.—­Yet, and without examining the truth of the fact.

Lady.—­We did not doubt the story.

Cit.—­But had no other proof of it, Madam, than her relation?

Lady.—­Why, that’s true; nobody asked for a proof; it was enough to tell the story.

Cit.—­What! though perhaps the lady did not know the person, or whether it was true or no, and perhaps had it from a third or fourth hand—­your ladyship knows any body’s credit may be blasted at that rate.

Lady.—­We don’t inquire so nicely, you know, into the truth of stories at a tea-table.

Cit.—­No, Madam, that’s true; but when reputation is at stake, we should be a little careful too.

Lady.—­Why, that’s true too.  But why are you so concerned about it, Madam? do you know the man that keeps the shop?

Cit.—­No otherwise, Madam, than that I have often bought there, and I always found them the most civil, obliging people in the world.

Lady.—­It may be they know you, Madam.

Cit.—­I am persuaded they don’t, for I seldom went but I saw new faces, for they have a great many servants and journeymen in the shop.

Lady.—­It may be you are easy to be pleased; you are good-humoured yourself, and cannot put their patience to any trial.

Cit.—­Indeed, Madam, just the contrary; I believe I made them tumble two or three hundred pounds’ worth of goods one day, and bought nothing; and yet it was all one; they used me as well as if I had laid out twenty pounds.

Lady.—­Why, so they ought.

Cit.—­Yes, Madam, but then it is a token they do as they ought, and understand themselves.