an improvement on the continental cup, saucer, and napkin accommodation," said Lavinia, proudly displaying a wash-stand that looked like a dinner-table laid, for a dozen, such was the display of glass, china, and napery.
"The English certainly are a clean people," replied Amanda, softening a little as she remembered her fruitless efforts to find a bath-pan in Brittany, where the people said the drought was caused by the English using so much water.
"They need more appliances for cleanliness than any other race, because they live in such a dirty country," began Matilda, removing the soot from her face in flakes.
What more she might have said is unknown; for Livy closed her mouth with a big sponge, and all retired to repose after the trials of the past night.
"Now, my dears, you shall have food fit for Christian women to eat. No weak soup, no sour wine, no veal stewed with raisins, nor greasy salad made of all the weeds that grow. Beef that will make you feel like giants, and beer that will cheer the cockles of your hearts; not to mention cheese which will make you wink, and bread with a little round
