Said my master, and put some fish on my lady's plate, Well does Lady
Davers use the word insult!--But, come, let me see you eat one mouthful,
and I'll forgive you; and he put the knife in one of her hands, and the
fork in the other. As I hope to live, said he, I cannot bear this silly
childishness, for nothing at all! I am quite ashamed of it.
She put a little bit to her mouth, but laid it down in her plate again: I
cannot eat, said she; I cannot swallow, I'm sure. It will certainly
choak me. He had forbid his menservants to come in, that they might not
behold the scene he expected; and rose from table himself, and filled a
glass of wine, her woman offering, and her kinsman rising, to do it.
Mean-time, his seat between us being vacant, she turned to me: How now,
confidence, said she, darest thou sit next me? Why dost thou not rise,
and take the glass from thy property?
Sit still, my dear, said he; I'll help you both. But I arose; for I was
afraid of a good cuff; and said, Pray, sir, let me help my lady. So you
shall, replied he, when she's in a humour to receive it as she ought.
Sister, said he, with a glass in his hand, pray drink; you'll perhaps eat
a little bit of something then. Is this to insult me? said she.--No,
really, returned he: but to incite you to eat; for you'll be sick for
want of it.
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