Bess. But yesterday I gave you out ten new ones.
Mrs. G. We still lack fifteen, save your Ladyship will allow those of chaff to be used.
Bess. Use anything, all you can lay hands upon. Lord, Lord! all my substance is swallowed, and still you cry “More pillows!” Beshrew me if you do not eat pillows. Alice, are the ewers and basins in place?
Alice. Yes, m’lady, though one is cracked and two were broken early this morning by my Lord’s hound, which sprang through the window, so that I dropped them in my fright.
Bess. Lord! these people eat ewers as fast as pillows! Take away the cracked one and put brass ewers for the other two. No, stay. Leave the cracked one. They say this Queen’s folk have a crazy fancy for little dogs and darlings. If we place them new pitchers, they will only break those also.
Alice. Little French dogs...? Oh, they will be sport!
Bess. Hold thy idiot’s tongue. Pray Heaven they do not bring monkeys also, like Lady Catherine Grey[[14]] when she went to the Tower. Kate, where is the Queen’s coverlet? [Girls bring it forward.] There is an ugly darn in it. It shall be hidden with some gold lace. Fetch my Lord’s old riding-cloak and rip the galloon quickly from it. Do not use the broad, but the narrow. It will seem well enough. To work, to work!
[Re-enter Crompe.]
Crompe. The cook and his fellows be ready, my Lady.
Bess. Let him come. [Enter a procession of kitchen men with dishes.]