'Why, Madam,' says the citizen, 'did the man of the shop use your ladyship ill?'
_Lady_.--No, I can't say he used me ill, for I never was in his shop.
_Cit._--How does your ladyship know he does so then?
_Lady_.--Why, I know he used another lady saucily, because she gave him a great deal of trouble, as he called it, and did not buy.
_Cit._--Was it the lady that told you so herself, Madam?
_Lady_.--I don't know, really, I have forgot who it was; but I have such a notion in my head, and I don't care to try, for I hate the sauciness of shopkeepers when they don't understand themselves.
_Cit._--Well; but, Madam, perhaps it may be a mistake--and the lady that told you was not the person neither?
_Lady_.--Oh, Madam, I remember now who told me; it was my Lady Tattle, when I was at Mrs Whymsy's on a visiting day; it was the talk of the whole circle, and all the ladies took notice of it, and said they would take care to shun that shop.
_Cit._--Sure, Madam, the lady was strangely used; did she tell any of the particulars?
_Lady_.--No; I did not understand that she told the particulars, for it seems it was not to her, but to some other lady, a friend of hers; but it was all one; the company took as much notice of it as if it had been to her, and resented it as much, I assure you.
_Cit._--Yet, and without examining the truth of the fact.
_Cit._--But had no other proof of it, Madam, than her relation?
_Lady_.--Why, that's true; nobody asked for a proof; it was enough to tell the story.
_Cit._--What! though perhaps the lady did not know the person, or whether it was true or no, and perhaps had it from a third or fourth hand--your ladyship knows any body's credit may be blasted at that rate.
_Lady_.--We don't inquire so nicely, you know, into the truth of stories at a tea-table.
_Cit._--No, Madam, that's true; but when reputation is at stake, we should be a little careful too.
_Lady_.--Why, that's true too. But why are you so concerned about it, Madam? do you know the man that keeps the shop?
_Cit._--No otherwise, Madam, than that I have often bought there, and I always found them the most civil, obliging people in the world.
_Cit._--I am persuaded they don't, for I seldom went but I saw new faces, for they have a great many servants and journeymen in the shop.