“But you know, my dear,” said her husband, “that she is a grocer’s widow, and, it is said, used to keep his accounts.”

“That is very obvious, my dear; for, indeed, most of her invitations to tea are more like bills duly furnished than anything else.  I remember one of them that ran to the following effect: 

“’Mrs. Allspice presents compliments to Messrs. Mainwaring &, Co.—­to wit, Miss Norton ‘—­this was my daughter—­’ begs to be favored, per return of post, as to whether it will suit convenience for to come on next Tuesday evening, half-past seven, to take a cup of the best flavored souchong, 7s. 6d. per lb., and white lump, Jamaica, Is. per ditto, with a nice assortment of cakes, manufactured by ourselves.  Punctuality to appointment expected.’”

“Well, for my part,” said Sam, “I must say it’s the entertainment I’d look to both with her and the parson, and neither the language nor the writing.  Mrs. Mainwaring, will you allow me to propose a toast ma’am?  It’s for a fine creature, in her way; a lily, a jewel.”

“With pleasure, Mr. Roberts,” said that lady, smiling, for she knew old Sam must always have his own way.

“Well, then, fill, fill, each of you.  Come, Miss Gourlay, if only for the novelty of the thing; for I dare say you never drank a toast before.  Ned, fill for her.  You’re an excellent woman, Mrs. Mainwaring:  and he was a lucky old boy that got you to smooth down the close of his respectable and useful life—­at least, it was once useful—­but we can’t be useful always—­well, of his harmless life—­ay, that is nearer the thing.  Yes, Mrs. Mainwaring, by all accounts you are a most excellent and invaluable woman, and deserve all honor.”

Mrs. Mainwaring sat with a comely simper upon her good-natured face, looking down with a peculiar and modest appreciation of the forthcoming compliment to herself.

“Come now,” Sam went on, “to your legs.  You all, I suppose, know who I mean.  Stand, if you please, Miss Gourlay.  Head well up, and shoulders a little more squared, Mainwaring.  Here now, are you all ready?”

“All ready,” responded the gentlemen, highly amused.

“Well, then, here’s my Beck’s health! and long life to her!  She’s the pearl of wives, and deserves to live forever!”

A fit of good-humored laughter followed old Sam’s toast, in which Mrs. Mainwaring not only came in for an ample share, but joined very heartily herself; that worthy lady taking it for granted that old Sam was about to propose the health of the hostess, sat still, while the rest rose; even Lucy stood up, with her usual grace and good-nature, and put the glass to her lips; and as it was the impression that the compliment was meant for Mrs. Mainwaring, the thing seemed very like what is vulgarly called a bite, upon the part of old Sam, who in the meantime, had no earthly conception of anything else than that they all thoroughly understood him, and were aware of the health he was about to give.