on, to look at themselves in the pier glasses; and the very beggar children go hopping about my hall, with their half-eaten scraps in their hands, as though it were the entry to a work-house.
Ag. (Clapping his shoulder gently.) Now dont be impatient, my dear sir, and every thing shall be put into such excellent order as shall delight you to behold. And as for the beggar children, if any of them dare but to set their noses within the door, I'll—What shall I do with them, sir? (Pauses and looks in his face, which begins to relent.) I believe we must e'en give them a little pudding after all. (Both take his hands and coax him.)
With. Come, come, off hands and let me sit down. I am tired of this.
Ag. Yes, uncle, and here is one seat, you see, with no cat upon it. (Withrington sits down, and Agnes takes a little stool and sits down at his feet, curling her nose as she looks up to him, and making a good humoured face.)
With. Well, it may be pleasant enough, girls, but allow me to say all this playing, and laughing, and hoidening about is not gentlewomanlike, nay, I might say, is not maidenly. A high bred elegant woman is a creature which man approaches with awe and respect; but nobody would think of accosting you with such impressions, any more than if your were a couple of young female tinkers.
Ag. Dont distress yourself about this, sir, we shall get the men to bow to us, and tremble be-