nt and mate.
But it seems the hooks that supported this swinging couch were not
calculated for the addition of weight which they were now destined to
bear; and therefore gave way in the middle of the night, to the no small
terror of Mrs. Trunnion, who perceiving herself falling, screamed aloud,
and by that exclamation brought Hatchway with a light into the chamber.
Though she had received no injury by the fall, she was extremely
discomposed and incensed at the accident, which she even openly ascribed
to the obstinacy and whimsical oddity of the commodore, in such petulant
terms as evidently declared that she thought her great aim accomplished,
and her authority secured against all the shocks of fortune. Indeed her
bedfellow seemed to be of the same opinion, by his tacit resignation;
for he made no reply to her insinuations, but with a most vinegar
aspect crawled out of his nest, and betook himself to rest in another
apartment; while his irritated spouse dismissed the lieutenant, and
from the wreck of the hammock made an occasional bed for herself on the
floor, fully determined to provide better accommodation for the next
night's lodging.

Having no inclination to sleep, her thoughts, during the remaining part
of the night, were engrossed by a scheme of reformation she was
resolved to execute in the family; and no sooner did the first lark
bid salutation to the morn, than, starting from her humble couch, and
huddling on her clothes, she sallied from her chamber, explored her
way through paths before unknown, and in the course of her researches
perceived a large bell, to which she made such effectual application
as alarmed every soul in the family. In a moment she was surrounded
by Hatchway, Pipes, and all the rest of the servants half-dressed; but
seeing none of the feminine gender appear, she began to storm at the
sloth and laziness of the maids, who, she observed, ought to have been
at work an hour at least before she called; and then, for the first
time, understood that no woman was permitted to sleep within the walls.

She did not fail to exclaim against this regulation; and being informed
that the cook and chambermaid lodged in a small office-house that stood
without the gate, ordered the drawbridge to be let down, and in person
beat up their quarters, commanding them forthwith to set about scouring
the rooms, which had not been hitherto kept in a very decent condition,
while two men were immediately employed to tr