Chapter 7

MISS HOYDEN _discovered alone_. _Miss Hoyd_. Sure, nobody was ever used as I am! I know well enough what other girls do, for all they think to make a fool o' me. It's well I have a husband a-coming, or ecod I'd marry the baker, I would so. Nobody can knock at the gate, but presently I must be locked up; and here's the young greyhound can run loose about the house all the day, so she can.--'Tis very well! _Nurse_. [_Without opening the door_.] Miss Hoyden! miss, miss, miss! Miss Hoyden! _Enter_ NURSE. _Miss Hoyd_. Well, what do you make such a noise for, eh? What do you din a body's ears for? Can't one be at quiet for you? _Nurse_. What do I din your ears for? Here's one come will din your ears for you. _Miss Hoyd_. What care I who's come? I care not a fig who comes, or who goes, so long as I must be locked up like the ale-cellar. _Nurse_. That, miss, is for fear you should be drank before you are ripe. _Miss Hoyd_. Oh, don't trouble your head about that; I'm as ripe as you, though not so mellow. _Nurse_. Very well! Now I have a good mind to lock you up again, and not let you see my lord to-night. _Miss Hoyd_. My lord: why, is my husband come? _Nurse_. Yes, marry, is he; and a goodly person too. _Miss Hoyd_. [_Hugs_ NURSE.] Oh, my dear nurse, forgive me this once, and I'll never misuse you again; no, if I do, you shall give me three thumps on the back, and a great pinch by the cheek. _Nurse_. Ah, the poor thing! see now it melts; it's as full of good-nature as an egg's full of meat. _Miss Hoyd._ But, my dear nurse, don't lie now--is he come, by your troth? _Nurse._ Yes, by my truly, is he. _Miss Hoyd_. O Lord! I'll go and put on my laced tucker, though I'm locked up for a month for't. [_Exeunt_. MISS HOYDEN _goes off capering, and twirling her doll by its leg._]