“O my lady, but you ha’ wore it but once!”
“No matter,’tis thine, Betty. Come, out with it and on with it. Nay, first your hair must be powdered and pomatumed, your cheeks smeared wi’ rouge—yourself sufficiently pulvilled——”
“But, O mam, why must I——”
“In case Sir John desires speech with you—that is to say, with me. He may not and yet again he may, and you must be prepared.”
“O mem,” quavered Betty. “O my lady—suppose he stare at me?”
“Stare back at him, for sure—like any other lady o’ fashion!”
“But what must I say?”
“As little as possible! So long as you look sufficiently handsome and stare bold enough, ’twill serve. Now, let me look at you! Cock your chin, girl—so! Gad’s life, but you’re a handsome creature and look as haughty a fine city-madam as need be. Now mind to be sufficiently disdainful of all and sundry and especially of me——”
“Nay, my lady, ’twere impossible! I shall be calling you mam and madam, for sure.”
“Zounds no, Bet, ’twould ruin all! You must be mighty short with me, rap my knuckles with your fan and rail on me if possible——”