There was likewise a coolness on the part of the British Housewife , which Mrs. John Rokesmith found highly exasperating. She would say, “Take a salamander,” as if a general should command a private to catch a Tartar. Or, she would casually issue the order, “Throw in a handful⁠—” of something entirely unattainable. In these, the Housewife ’s most glaring moments of unreason, Bella would shut her up and knock her on the table, apostrophising her with the compliment, “O you are a stupid old donkey! Where am I to get it, do you think?”