 who having revolved divers plans for the recovery of her own ease,
at length determined to engage Mrs. Grizzle in such employment as would
interrupt that close attendance which she found so teizing and disagreeable.
Neither did she wait long for an opportunity of putting her resolution in
practice. The very next day, a gentleman happening to dine with Mr. Pickle,
unfortunately mentioned a pine-apple, part of which he had eaten a week before
at the house of a nobleman who lived in another part of the country, at the
distance of an hundred miles at least.
    The name of this fatal fruit was no sooner pronounced, than Mrs. Grizzle,
who incessantly watched her sister's looks, took the alarm, because she thought
they gave certain indications of curiosity and desire; and after having observed
that she herself never could eat pine-apples, which were altogether unnatural
productions, extorted by the force of artificial fire, out of filthy manure,
asked with a faltering voice, if Mrs. Pickle was not of her way of thinking?
This young lady, who wanted neither slyness nor penetration, at once divined her
meaning, and replied with seeming unconcern, that for her own part she should
never repine, if there was not a pine-apple in the universe, provided she could
indulge herself with the fruits of her own country.
    This answer, which was calculated for the benefit of the stranger, who would
certainly have suffered for his imprudence by the resentment of Mrs. Grizzle,
had her sister expressed the least relish for the fruit in question: I say, this
answer had the desired effect, and re-established the peace of the company,
which was not a little endangered by the gentleman's want of consideration. Next
morning, however, after breakfast, the pregnant lady, in pursuance of her plan,
yawned (as it were by accident) full in the face of her maiden sister, who being
infinitely disturbed by this convulsion, affirmed it was a symptom of longing;
and insisted upon knowing the object in desire, when Mrs. Pickle affecting an
affected smile, told her she had eaten a most delicious pine-apple in her sleep.
This declaration was attended with an immediate scream uttered by Mrs. Grizzle,
who instantly perceiving her sister surprized at the exclamation, clasped her in
her arms, and assured her, with a sort of hysterical laugh, importing horror
rather than delight, that she could not help screaming with joy, because she had
it in her power to gratify her dear sister's wish; a lady in the neighbourhood
having promised to
