Mrs. Merdle At Home.

She Discourseth of Nothing to Eat and the Cost thereof.     Why Merdle--why did you bring Dinewell to-day?     So very, though welcome, so quite unexpected!     For dinner, if any, I'm sure I can't say,     Our servants with washing are all so infected.     If any's provided, 't is nothing but scraps     Of pot-luck or pick up of some common fare;     Or something left over from last week perhaps,     Which you've brought a friend, and an old one, to share.     I never, I'm sure now, so much was ashamed,     To think he'll discover--what's true to the letter--     We've nothing, or next to't that's fit to be named,     For one who is used every day to what's better.     But what can you expect if you come on a Monday?     Our French cook's away too, I vow and declare--     But if you would see us with something to spare,     Let's know when you're coming, or come on a Sunday;     For that of all others, for churchmen or sinners,     A day is for gorging with extra good dinners.     If Merdle had told me a friend would be here,     A dinner I'd get up in spite of the bills--     I often tell butcher he's wonderful dear--     He says every calf that a butcher now kills,     Will cost near as much as the price of a steer,     Before all the banks in their discount expanded     And flooded the country with 'lamp-black and rags,'     Which poor men has ruined and shipwrecked and stranded     On Poverty's billows and quick-sands and crags.     And that is just what, as our butcher explains,     The dickens has played with our beef and our mutton;     But something is gained, for, with all of his pains,     The poor man won't make of himself such a glutton.     I'm sure if they knew what a sin 't is to eat,     When things are all selling at extravagant prices,     That poor folks more saving would be of their meat,     And learn by example how little suffices.     I wish they could see for themselves what a table--     What examples we set to the laboring poor,     In prudence, and saving, in those who are able     To live like a king and his court on a tour.     I feel, I acknowledge, sometimes quite dejected     To think, as it happens with you here today,     To drop in so sudden and quite unexpected,     How poor we are living some people will say.