most luxurious living; while
she would haggle with her hungry customers for a farthing, she would
spend pounds on the most costly delicacies for herself.

Mrs. Sponge, laying aside that haughty look and voice, well known to
such as had the misfortune to be in her debt, put on the
hypocritical smile and soft canting tone, which she always assumed,
when she meant to flatter her superiors, or take in her dependents.
"Betty," said she, "I am resolved to stand your friend. These are
sad times to be sure. Money is money now. Yet I am resolved to put
you in a handsome way of living. You shall have a barrow, and well
furnished too." Betty could not have felt more joy or gratitude, if
she had been told that she should have a coach. "O, madam," said
Betty, "it is impossible. I have not a penny in the world toward
helping me to set up." "I will take care of that," said Mrs. Sponge;
"only you must do as I bid you. You must pay me interest for my
money; and you will, of course, be glad also to pay so much every
night for a nice hot supper which I get ready _quite out of
kindness_, for a number of poor working people. This will be a great
comfort for such a friendless girl as you, for my victuals and drink
are the best, and my company the merriest of any in all St.
Giles's." Betty thought all this only so many more favors, and
curtseying to the ground, said, "To be sure, ma'am, and thank you a
thousand times into the bargain. I never could hope for such a rise
in life."

Mrs. Sponge knew what she was about. Betty was a lively girl, who
had a knack at learning any thing; and so well looking through all
her dirt and rags, that there was little doubt she would get
custom. A barrow was soon provided, and five shillings put into
Betty's hands. Mrs. Sponge kindly condescended to go to show her how
to buy the fruit; for it was a rule with this prudent gentlewoman,
and one from which she never departed, that no one should cheat but
herself; and suspecting from her own heart the fraud of all other
dealers, she was seldom guilty of the weakness of being imposed
upon.

Betty had never possessed such a sum before. She grudged to lay it
out all at once, and was ready to fancy she could live upon the
capital. The crown, however, was laid out to the best advantage.
Betty was carefully taught in what manner to cry her oranges; and
received many useful lessons how to get off the bad with the good,
and the stale with the fresh. Mrs. Sponge also l