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Alice. Little French dogs...? Oh, they will be sport!

Bess. Hold thy idiot’s tongue. Pray Heaven they do not bring monkeys also, like Lady Catherine Grey^[14] when she went to the Tower. Kate, where is the Queen’s coverlet? [Girls bring it forward.] There is an ugly darn in it. It shall be hidden with some gold lace. Fetch my Lord’s old riding-cloak and rip the galloon quickly from it. Do not use the broad, but the narrow. It will seem well enough. To work, to work!

[Re-enter Crompe.]

Crompe. The cook and his fellows be ready, my Lady.

Bess. Let him come. [Enter a procession of kitchen men with dishes.]

Bess [reading from the roll before her]. A pair of capons stuffed with chestnuts.

Cook. The garnishing has yet to be done, my Lady.

Bess. A brisket of pork.

Cook. Boy—bring it round.

[A cook’s boy parades with the dish.]

Bess. Six carp—these should be served hot.

Cook. My Lady, they simmer slowly.

Bess [reading]. A roast of beef.

[Two boys parade it and pass on.]

Bess [going on with the list, while the dishes are presented in turn.]