Besides, the girls are growing up, and need to be a little bright and gay.

Why, man, there are many London citizens, who could not count their broad pieces with you, whose wives spend many times as much, every year, on their attire as Mistress Mercy has cost you now." "Well, well, Reuben, there may be something in what you say; but no more secrets, or there is no saying what wild extravagance she might take in her head, next time.

She might quarrel with the house and insist upon a new one, furnished from top to bottom; or set her heart on a coach, with running footmen.

No, no more secrets, or I shall be having her so set herself up that I shall be no more master of my own house." Roger was plied with many questions by his cousins, who tried alternately coaxing, and pouting, to learn from him why it was that, as all told them, preparations were being made for the voyage of the Swan such as were unknown, before, at Plymouth.

All he could reply was that the ship was only being victualed as all ships ought to be whose owners cared, as they should do, for the comfort and health of their crews.