 cherishing Husband to me, that's the truth
on't; and why you should endeavour to put such wicked Nonsense into this young
Man's Head, I cannot devise. Don't hearken to him, Mr. Joseph, be as good a
Husband as you are able, and love your Wife with all your Body and Soul too.«
Here a violent Rap at the Door put an end to their Discourse, and produced a
Scene which the Reader will find in the next Chapter.
 

                                   Chapter IX

  A Visit which the good Lady Booby and her polite Friend paid to the Parson.
 
The Lady Booby had no sooner had an Account from the Gentleman of his meeting a
wonderful Beauty near her House, and perceived the Raptures with which he spoke
of her, than immediately concluding it must be Fanny, she began to meditate a
Design of bringing them better acquainted; and to entertain Hopes that the fine
Clothes, Presents and Promises of this Youth, would prevail on her to abandon
Joseph: She therefore proposed to her Company a Walk in the Fields before
Dinner, when she led them towards Mr. Adams's House; and as she approached it,
told them, if they pleased she would divert them with one of the most ridiculous
Sights they had ever seen, which was an old foolish Parson, who, she said
laughing, kept a Wife and six Brats on a Salary of about twenty Pounds a Year;
adding, that there was not such another ragged Family in the Parish. They all
readily agreed to this Visit, and arrived whilst Mrs. Adams was declaiming, as
in the last Chapter. Beau Didapper, which was the Name of the young Gentleman we
have seen riding towards Lady Booby's, with his Cane mimicked the Rap of a
London Footman at the Door. The People within; namely, Adams, his Wife, and
three Children, Joseph, Fanny, and the Pedlar, were all thrown into Confusion by
this Knock; but Adams went directly to the Door, which being opened, the Lady
Booby and her Company walked in, and were received by the Parson with about two
hundred Bows; and by his Wife with as many Curt'sies; the latter telling the
Lady, »she was ashamed to be seen in such a Pickle, and that her House was in
such a Litter: But that if she had expected such an Honour from her Ladyship,
she should have found her in a better manner.« The Parson made no Apologies,
tho' he was in his Half-Cassock and a Flannel Night-Cap. He said
