“Oh, the meaning’s plain enough. - She came to see how she should like the rooms - how she should like my seat at the fireplace; how she - and if it isn’t enough to break a mother’s heart to be treated so! - how she should like my dear children.
“Now, it’s no use your bouncing about at - but of course that’s it; I can’t mention Miss Prettyman but you fling about as if you were in a fit. Of course that shows there’s something in it. Otherwise, why should you disturb yourself? Do you think I didn’t see her looking at the ciphers on the spoons as if she already saw mine scratched out and hers there? No, I sha’n’t drive you mad, Mr. Caudle; and if I do it’s your own fault. No other man would treat the wife of his bosom in - What do you say?
“You might as well have married a hedgehog?
“Well, now it’s come to something! But it’s always the case! Whenever you’ve seen that Miss Prettyman, I’m sure to be abused. A hedgehog! A pretty thing for a woman to be called by her husband! Now you don’t think I’ll lie quietly in bed, and be called a hedgehog - do you, Mr. Caudle?
“Well, I only hope Miss Prettyman had a good dinner, that’s all. I had none! You know I had none - how was I to get any? You know that the only part of the turkey I care for is the merry-thought. And that, of course, went to Miss Prettyman. Oh, I saw you laugh when you put it on her plate! And you don’t suppose, after such an insult as that, I’d taste another thing upon the table? No, I should hope I have more spirit than that. Yes; and you took wine with her four times. What do you say?
“Only twice?
“Oh, you were so lost - fascinated, Mr. Caudle; yes, fascinated - that you didn’t know what you did. However, I do think while I’m alive I might be treated with respect at my own table. I say, while I’m alive; for I know I sha’n’t last long, and then Miss Prettyman may come and take it all. I’m wasting daily, and no wonder. I never say anything about it, but every week my gowns are taken in.
“I’ve lived to learn something, to be sure! Miss Prettyman turned up her nose at my custards. It isn’t sufficient that you are always finding fault yourself, but you must bring women home to sneer at me at my own table. What do you say?
“She didn’t turn up her nose?
“I know she did; not but what it’s needless - Providence has turned it up quite enough for her already. And she must give herself airs over my custards! Oh, I saw her mincing with the spoon as if she was chewing sand. What do you say?