I demanded where their rappee was? the good woman pointed to the place; and I took up a scollop-shell of it, refusing to let her weight it, and filled my box.  And now, Mrs. Smith, said I, where are your gloves?

She showed me; and I chose four pair of them, and set Joseph, who looked as if he wanted to be taken notice of again, to open the fingers.

A female customer, who had been gaping at the door, came in for some Scots sniff; and I would serve her.  The wench was plaguy homely; and I told her so; or else, I said, I would have treated her.  She, in anger, [no woman is homely in her own opinion,] threw down her penny; and I put it in my pocket.

Just then, turning my eye to the door, I saw a pretty, genteel lady, with a footman after her, peeping in with a What’s the matter, good folks? to the starers; and I ran to her from behind the compter, and, as she was making off, took her hand, and drew her into the shop; begging that she would be my customer; for that I had but just begun trade.

What do you sell, Sir? said she, smiling; but a little surprised.

Tapes, ribbands, silk laces, pins, and needles; for I am a pedlar:  powder, patches, wash-balls, stockings, garters, snuffs, and pin cushions—­Don’t we, goody Smith?

So in I gently drew her to the compter, running behind it myself, with an air of great dilingence and obligingness.  I have excellent gloves and wash-balls, Madam:  rappee, Scots, Portugal, and all sorts of snuff.

Well, said she, in a very good humour, I’ll encourage a young beginner for once.  Here, Andrew, [to her footman,] you want a pair of gloves, don’t you?

I took down a parcel of gloves, which Mrs. Smith pointed to, and came round to the fellow to fit them on myself.

No matter for opening them, said I:  thy fingers, friend, are as stiff as drum-sticks.  Push!—­Thou’rt an awkward dog!  I wonder such a pretty lady will be followed by such a clumsy varlet.

The fellow had no strength for laughing:  and Joseph was mightily pleased, in hopes, I suppose, I would borrow a few of Andrew’s teeth, to keep him in countenance:  and, father and mother Smith, like all the world, as the jest was turned from themselves, seemed diverted with the humour.

The fellow said the gloves were too little.

Thrust, and be d——­d to thee, said I:  why, fellow, thou hast not the strength of a cat.

Sir, Sir, said he, laughing, I shall hurt your Honour’s side.

D——­n thee, thrust I say.

He did; and burst out the sides of the glove.

Will. said I, where’s thy pruning-knife?  By my soul, friend, I had a good mind to pare thy cursed paws.  But come, here’s a larger pair:  try them, when thou gettest home; and let thy sweetheart, if thou hast one, mend the other, so take both.

The lady laughed at the humour; as did my fellow, and Mrs. Smith, and Joseph:  even John laughed, though he seemed by the force put upon his countenance to be but half pleased with me neither.