Joseph Warder was her agent then and afterward. She rarely lost on her
purchases. Although generous, and even lavish, she dearly loved a good
bargain, and, I believe, liked the game far more than she cared for success
in the playing of it.

"Come, Hugh," she said, "let us eat and drink. Take the book home, and put
it away for your own reading. Here is sixpence out of my gains. I hope you
will never need to trade, and, indeed, why should you, whether I live or
die? How would the king's service suit you, and a pair of colours?"

I said I should like it.

"There is a pretty tale, Hugh, of the French gentlemen, who, being poor,
have to make money in commerce. They leave their swords with a magistrate,
and when they are become rich enough take them back again. There is some
pleasing ceremony, but I forget. The Wynnes have been long enough in drab
and trade. It is time we took back our swords, and quitted bow-thouing and
bow-theeing."

I said I did not understand.

"Oh, you will," said Aunt Gainor, giving me a great apple-dumpling. "Take
some molasses. Oh, as much as you please. I shall look away, as I do when
the gentlemen take their rum."

You may be sure I obeyed her. As to much that she said, I was shocked; but
I never could resist a laugh, and so we made merry like children, as was
usual, for, as she used to say, "To learn when to laugh and when not to
laugh is an education."