In the Green Lattice, though unoccupied, there stood a carven Oak Bed, with dark green Hangings, lined with yellow Fustian, and Linen a Miracle for Whiteness, ready for any chance Guest. I thought, boy-like, as I glanced in, passing up and down, 'twas fit for the Sleeping Beauty to lie in during her Trance of a hundred Years. There was a great Jar of dead Rose-leaves, that smelt rarely; and I always had the Notion they had been gathered by Mistress _Anne's_ Mother. I wondered, with a strange yet pleasing Awe, whether her Ghost ever walked here, now that her little Girl passed Hours in the Room by herself, singing over her Dolls; and thought it might perhaps steal softly in and keep about her when we little wisted.
_Tib_, the Cook, made and kept but few Friends. She was turned of Forty, and had a notable scorched Face, that looked like a Kitchen Fire. Also she was a Woman of much Thirst, both for Ale and News; and would have been counted a notable cleanly Woman, had she not been so dirty. For Example, she would set the House afloat with Bucketfuls of cold Water, till only _Noah's_ Dove could have found Rest for the Sole of its Foot; and yet, the next Minute, would fling a Tub-full of Dish-water straight into the River, on the Heads of any Passengers that might hap to be shooting the Arch. She got into Trouble, once or twice, for this.
Now, when I fell into my daily Course, Part of my Time was spent under the Eye of my Master, and within hearing of his pleasant Talk, Part in running about the Town, and Part with _Tomkins_; so that I was happy from Morning to Night. For, _Miles_ not being fond of waiting upon the poor lame Journeyman, I made it a Labour of Love; and he, being a tender-spirited Man, very sensitive to small Kindnesses, took hugely to me, as I shortly did to him. He had a busy Mind that was always at Work, and his Occupation leaving him much Leisure for Headwork, he was always chewing the Cud upon this or that Problem he had conned at odd Minutes out of his old Books, or brooding upon Mysteries that were harder to crack, and less safe for an unlearned Man to meddle with. Also he had a mechanical Turn, which he exercised at what he called his Play Hours, thereby only exchanging one hard Work for another; but he was so fond of it that I was always glad to see his little File and Pincers in his Hand. Thus it came to pass, that he never cared to stir from his Attick into the World beneath, (though I found, afterwards, he generally contrived to creep out somewhere on Sundays when we were all in Church,) for, he said, Air he had plenty of, Exercise was a Misery to him, and as for Company, had he not all he cared for, already? A few kind Words from Master _Hewet_, continual Chat with me, a bright Glimpse of Mistress _Anne_, and a Visit now and then from Mistress _Fraunces_, were all he had and all he liked. For Mistress _Fraunces_ he had a wonderful Respect and even Admiration; commending her gentle Temper, womanly Carriage, and pleasant Voice; and bidding me note, (which I did on his naming,) that she had, for her Years, the finest Hand that a Woman was ever graced with. I said I wondered she had never married. He said, "Aye, indeed, what can the Men have been about?" with a little Smile that I did not feel to be quite respectful; and I wondered that even the gentle _Tomkins_ must have his Fling at single Women.