I takes that ale
at night, my love ; it bein' considered wakeful by the doctors." " And,
whatever you do, young woman, don't bring more than a shillingsworth of
gin and water, warm, when I rings the bell a second time ; for, that is
always my allowance, and I never takes a drop beyond." A tray was
brought, with everything upon it, even to the cucumber. " The extent to
which Mrs. Gamp " (vulgar old sensualist) " availed herself of the
vinegar, and supped up that refreshing fluid with the blade of her
knife can scarcely be expressed in narrative."
When
Mrs. Gamp entertained Betsey Prig to supper in her bedroom at Poll
Sweedlepipes, (as again inimitably related by Dickens), she arranged
the tea-board, " even unto the setting forth of two pounds of Newcastle
salmon, intensely pickled. Her preparations comprehended a delicate
new loaf, a plate of fresh butter, a basin of fine white sugar, and
other arrangements on the same scale. Even the snuff with which she now
refreshed herself was so choice in quality that she took a second
pinch."
"
That Betsey Prig expected pickled salmon was obvious ; since her first
words, after looking at the table, were, ' I know'd she wouldn't have a
cowcumber.' Looking steadfastly at her friend, Mrs. Prig put her hand
into her pocket, and with an air of surly triumph drew forth either the
oldest of lettuces, or the youngest of cabbages, but, at any rate, a
green vegetable of an expansive nature, and of such magnificent
proportions that she was obliged to shut it up like an umbrella, before
she could pull it out. She also produced a handful of mustard and
cress, a trifle of the herb called dandelion, three bunches of
radishes, an onion rather
