`Middling, sir,' said Mrs. Gamp.

`Nothing to the purpose, I suppose?'

`Oh bless you, no, sir. Only jargon.'

`Well!' said the doctor, `we must keep him quiet; keep the room cool: give him his draughts regularly; and see that he's carefully looked to. That's all!'

`And as long as Mrs. Prig and me waits upon him, sir, no fear of that,' said Mrs. Gamp.

`I suppose,' observed Mrs. Prig, when they had curtseyed the doctor out: `there's nothin' new?'

`Nothin' at all, my dear,' said Mrs. Gamp. `He's rather wearin' in his talk from making up a lot of names; elseways you needn't mind him.'

`Oh, I shan't mind him,' Mrs. Prig returned. `I have somethin' else to think of.'

`I pays my debts to-night, you know, my dear, and comes afore my time,' said Mrs. Gamp. `But, Betsy Prig:' speaking with great feeling, and laying her hand upon her arm: `try the cowcumbers, God bless you!'