50 THE HISTORY OF DAME MITCHELL

nails out of the gutters and sell them to the storekeepers; I
hold gentlemen’s horses, and open the doors of hackney
coaches; sometimes I play dummy in the booths at a fair;

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at others, act the character of Jack the lamplighter; and
now and then I sing a sea song to amuse the sailors.
But all these trades, sir, put together, are not worth one
honest calling, and I find it hard to get bread every day.”

“TI feel for you,” replied Daddy Sharpphiz, “and I am
almost inclined to give you an opportunity of doing well.
Tell me, Crankey, have you a taste for cookery ?”

“gad! I am fond of eating and drinking; but my
means are too limited to indulge my taste.”

“T don’t want to know, you booby, if you like good
living; I merely ask you if you have any skill in cookery.”

“JT have never tried my hand at it.”

“ Well, Crankey, I willinstruct you: come, follow me: I
will feed and clothe you at my own expense until the arrival
of Lady Greenford. She is a good-natured woman, and
will most likely keep you; but, if she should not, your