anywhere. Dear
heart! what appetites they had, yet would waste nothing, but picked
every one his bone properly clean (which did satisfy me nothing was
amiss with our geese), and great cheering when the puddings and
flapdragons came in all aflame, and all as merry as grigs--flinging of
lighted plums at each other, but most mannerly not to fling any at Moll
or us. Then more shouting for joy when the bowls of wassail and posset
come in, and all standing to give three times three for their new
mistress and her husband. Hearing of which, the beggars without (now
tired of dancing about the embers) troop up to the door and give three
times three as well, and end with crying joy and long life to the wedded
pair. When this tumult was ended and the door shut, Mr. Godwin gave a
short oration, thanking our tenants for their company and good wishes;
and then he told them how his dear wife and he, wishing others to share
their joy and remember this day, had resolved to forgive every tenant
one-half of his quarter's rent. "And so, Mr. Hopkins," says he,
addressing me, "you will think of this to-morrow."

At first I was disposed to begrudge this munificence--thinking of my
accounts and the bills I should have to pay ere rent day came again; but
on second thoughts it rejoiced me much as being a counterblast to
anything Simon could do against us. For no tenant, thinks I, will be
fool enough to withold payment when he may get his quittance to-morrow
for half its value. And herein was I not mistaking; for to-day every
tenant hath paid with a cheerful countenance. So that this is very good
business, and I am not in any way astonished to find that our subtle
Spaniard was at the bottom of it, for indeed it was Don Sanchez who
(knowing my fears on this head and thinking them well-grounded)
suggested this act of generosity to Moll, which she, in her fulness of
heart, seized on at once. (Truly, I believe she would give the clothes
off her back, no matter what it cost her, to any one in need, so
reckless is she in love and pity.)

_December 27._ Don Sanchez took leave of us this day, he setting forth
for Spain to-morrow, with the hope to reach his friends there, for their
great feast of the New Year. And we are all mighty sorry to lose him;
for not only hath he been a rare good friend to us, but also he is a
most seemly gentleman (to keep us in countenance), and a very good
staunch and reliable companion. But this comprises not all our loss, he