Miss B. Better! Oh, I shall never be better!
(Leans her head on hand, and rocks herself backwards and forwards.)
Landlady. My dear young lady, don’t take on so. (Aside.) Now would I give something to know what it was my Lady Piercefield said to the father, and what the father said to this one, and what’s the matter at the bottom of affairs. Sally, did you hear anything at the doors?
Sally (aside). No, indeed, ma’am; I never be’s at the doors.
Landlady (aside). Simpleton! (Aloud.) But, my dear Miss Bursal, if I may be so bold—if you’d only disembosom your mind of what’s on it—
Miss B. Disembosom my mind! Nonsense! I’ve nothing on my mind. Pray leave me, madam.
Landlady (aside). Madam, indeed! madam, forsooth! Oh, I’ll make her pay for that! That madam shall go down in the bill, as sure as my name’s Newington. (Landlady, in a higher tone.) Well, I wish you better, ma’am. I suppose I’d best send your own servant?
Miss B. (sullenly). Yes, I suppose so. (To Sally.) You need not wait, child, nor look so curious.
Sally. Cur’ous! Indeed, miss, if I look a little cur’ous, or so (looking at her dress), ’tis only because I was frighted to see you take on, which made me forget my clean apron, when I came out; and this apron—
Miss B. Hush! Hush! child. Don’t tell me about clean aprons, nor run on with your vulgar talk. Is there ever a seat one can set on in that Harbour yonder?