"Madam."
"Did you mean me?" said Dame Brown, laying down her shuttles, and tightening the strings of her linsey-woolsey apron. "Did you mean me, sir?"
"Yes, if you are the mistress of this house."
"For want of a better," answered the dame, drawing herself up primly.
"I—I am a stranger. Have just come over in the ship which landed to-day."
"What, another!" said Goody Brown, coming slowly out of her loom. "I had the hull house full last night."
"I do not wish to incommode you, my good lady, only to inquire about those who set out so rashly in the boat before we came up to the wharf. They were all brought here, I am told."
"Well, yes, I had a houseful of 'em overnight, but this morning they were well enough to go away."
"What, all?"
"All but the lady; she's completely tuckered out, and won't get out of her bed to-day, I reckon."