as well be hanged as make one step in his
affairs without my consent. If you will give me what you promised him, I
will make all things easy, and stop the deeds of ejectment against Lord
Strutt: if you will not, take what follows. I shall have a good action
against you, for pretending to rob me of my bubble. Take this warning
from

"Your loving friend,

"NIC. FROG."

* Secret negotiations of the Dutch at that time.

I am told, cousin Diego, you are one of those that have undertaken to
manage me, and that you have said you will carry a green bag yourself,
rather than we shall make an end of our lawsuit: I'll teach them and you
too to manage.

D. DIEGO.--For God's sake, madam, why so choleric? I say this letter is
some forgery; it never entered into the head of that honest man, Nic.
Frog, to do any such thing.

MRS. BULL.--I can't abide you. You have been railing these twenty years
at Squire South, Frog, and Hocus, calling them rogues and pickpockets,
and now they are turned the honestest fellows in the world. What is the
meaning of all this?

D. DIEGO.--Pray tell me how you came to employ this Sir Roger in your
affairs, and not think of your old friend Diego?

MRS. BULL.--So, so, there it pinches. To tell you truth, I have employed
Sir Roger in several weighty affairs, and have found him trusty and
honest, and the poor man always scorned to take a farthing of me. I have
abundance that profess great zeal, but they are damnable greedy of the
pence. My husband and I are now in such circumstances, that we must be
served upon cheaper terms than we have been.

D. DIEGO.--Well, cousin, I find I can do no good with you; I am sorry
that you will ruin yourself by trusting this Sir Roger.

CHAPTER XVI. How the guardians of the deceased Mrs. Bull's three
daughters came to John, and what advice they gave him; wherein is
briefly treated the characters of the three daughters. Also John Bull's
answer to the three guardians.*

* Concerns of the party, and speeches for carrying on the
war, etc. Sentiments of the Tories and House of Commons
against continuing the war for setting King Charles upon the
throne of Spain.

I told you in a former chapter that Mrs. Bull, before she departed this
life, had blessed John with three daughters. I need not here repeat
their names, neither would I willingly use any scandalous reflections
upon young ladies, whose reputations ought to be very tenderly handled;