ris,' I says to her, 'be not alarmed--not reg'lar
play-actors--hammertoors.' 'Thank Evans!' says Mrs. Harris, and bustiges
into a flood of tears.

"When the sweet creetur had compoged hersef (which a sip of brandy and
water warm, and sugared pleasant, with a little nutmeg did it), I
proceeds in these words. 'Mrs. Harris, I am told as these hammertoors
are litter'ry and artistickle.' 'Sairey,' says that best of wimmin, with
a shiver and a slight relasp, 'go on, it might be worse.' 'I likewise
hears,' I says to her, 'that they're agoin play-acting, for the benefit
of two litter'ry men; one as has had his wrongs a long time ago, and has
got his rights at last, and one as has made a many people merry in his
time, but is very dull and sick and lonely his own sef, indeed.'
'Sairey,' says Mrs. Harris, 'you're an Inglish woman, and that's no
business of you'rn.'

"'No, Mrs. Harris,' I says, 'that's very true; I hope I knows my dooty
and my country. But,' I says, 'I am informed as there is Ladies in this
party, and that half a dozen of 'em, if not more, is in various stages
of a interesting state. Mrs. Harris, you and me well knows what Ingeins
often does. If I accompanies this expedition, unbeknown and second
cladge, may I not combine my calling with change of air, and prove a
service to my feller creeturs?' 'Sairey,' was Mrs. Harris's reply, 'you
was born to be a blessing to your sex, and bring 'em through it. Good go
with you! But keep your distance till called in, Lord bless you Mrs.
Gamp; for people is known by the company they keeps, and litterary and
artistickle society might be the ruin of you before you was aware, with
your best customers, both sick and monthly, if they took a pride in
themselves.'

"II. MRS. GAMP IS DESCRIPTIVE.

"The number of the cab had a seven in it I think, and a ought I
know--and if this should meet his eye (which it was a black 'un, new
done, that he saw with; the other was tied up), I give him warning that
he'd better take that umbereller and patten to the Hackney-coach Office
before he repents it. He was a young man in a weskit with sleeves to it
and strings behind, and needn't flatter himsef with a suppogition of
escape, as I gave this description of him to the Police the moment I
found he had drove off with my property; and if he thinks there an't
laws enough he's much mistook--I tell him that:

"I do assure you, Mrs. Harris, when I stood in the railways office that
morning with my b