Wild Oats Part 6

_Banks._ Madam, I never aspired to an enviable rank in life: but hitherto pride and prudence kept me above the reach of pity: but obligations from a stranger--

_Lady Am._ He really a stranger, and attempt to free thee? But, friend, [_To Rover._] thou hast a.s.sumed a right which here belongeth alone to me. As I enjoy the blessings which these lands produce, I own also the heart delighting privilege of dispensing those blessings to the wretched. Thou mad'st thyself my worldly banker, and no cash of mine in thine hands, [_Takes a note from a pocket book._] but thus I balance our account. [_Offers it._]

_Rover._ "Madam, my master pays me, nor can I take money from another hand, without injuring his honour, and disobeying his commands."

"Run, run, Orlando, carve on every tree, The fair, the chaste, the unexpressive she."

[_Runs off._

_Banks._ But, sir, I insist you'll return him his money. [_To Twitch._] Stop! [_Going._]

_Twitch._ Aye, stop! [_Holds the skirt of his coat._]

_Lady Am._ Where dwelleth he?

_Banks._ I fancy, where he can, madam. I understand, from his discourse, that he was on his way to join a company of actors in the next town.

_Lady Am._ A profane stage-player with such a gentle, generous heart!

Yet so whimsically wild, like the unconscious rose, modestly shrinking from the recollection of its own grace and sweetness.

_Enter_ JANE, _from the house, more dressed_.

_Jane._ Now, my lady, I'm fit to attend your ladys.h.i.+p. I look so genteelish, mayhap her ladys.h.i.+p may take me home with her.

_Lady Am._ This maiden may find out for me whither he goeth.

[_Aside._] Call on my steward, and thy legal demands shall be satisfied. [_To Twitch._]

_Jane._ Here, coachman, drive up my lady's chariot, nearer to our door. [_Calls off._] Charott! If she'd take me with her, la! how all the folks will stare. [_Aside._] Madam, though the roads are so very dusty, I'll walk all the way on foot to your ladys.h.i.+p's house--ay, though I should spoil my bran new petticoat.

_Lady Am._ Rather than sully thy garment, thou shalt be seated by me.

Friend, be cheerful; thine and thy sister's sorrows shall be but an April shower.

_Jane._ Oh, your ladys.h.i.+p!--Ecod, if I didn't think so--[_Aside._]

_Enter_ SIM.

Here, you Sim, order the charott for us.

_Sim._ Us! Come, come, Jane, I've the little tilt cart to carry you.

_Jane._ Cart! [_Exeunt severally._

SCENE II.

_Before an Inn._

_Enter_ ROVER _and_ WAITER.

_Rover._ Hillo! friend, when does the coach set out for London?

_Waiter._ In about an hour, sir.

_Rover._ Has the Winchester coach pa.s.sed?

_Waiter._ No, sir. [_Exit._

_Rover._ That's lucky! Then my trunk is here still. Go I will not.

Since I've lost the fellows.h.i.+p of my friend d.i.c.k, I'll travel no more, I'll try a London audience, who knows but I may get an engagement.

This celestial lady quaker! She must be rich, and ridiculous for such a poor dog as I am, even to think of her. How d.i.c.k would laugh at me if he knew--I dare say by this she has released my kind host from the gripe--I should like to be certain, though.

_Enter_ LANDLORD.

_Land._ You'll dine here, sir? I'm honest Bob Johnstone; kept the Sun these twenty years. Excellent dinner on table at two.

_Rover._ "Yet my love indeed is appet.i.te; I'm as hungry as the sea, and can digest as much."

_Land._ Then you won't do for my s.h.i.+lling ordinary, sir; there's a very good ordinary at the Saracen's head, at the end of the town.

Shou'dn't have thought indeed, hungry foot travellers to eat like----coming, sir. [_Exit._

_Rover._ I'll not join this company at Winchester. I will take a touch at a London theatre. The public there are candid and generous, and before my merit can have time to create enemies, I'll save money, and,--"a fig for the Sultan and Sophy."

_Enter_ JANE, _at the back, and_ SIM, _watching her_.

_Jane._ Ay, that's he!

_Rover._ But if I fail, by Heaven I'll overwhelm the manager, his empire, and--"himself in one prodigious ruin."

_Jane._ Ruin! Oh Lord! [_Runs back._]

_Sim._ What can you expect, when you follow young men? I've dodg'd you all the way.

_Jane._ Well! wasn't I sent?

_Sim._ Oh yes, you were sent--very likely. Who sent you?

_Jane._ It was--I won't tell it's my lady, 'cause she bid me not.

[_Aside._]

_Sim._ I'll keep you from sheame--a fine life I should have in the parish, rare fleering, if a sister of moine should stand some Sunday at church in a white sheet, and to all their flouts what could I say?

_Rover._ Thus, "I say my sister's wrong'd, my sister _Blowsabella_, born as high and n.o.ble as the _attorney_--do her justice, or by the G.o.ds I'll lay a scene of blood, shall make this _haymow_ horrible to Beebles."--"Say that, Chamont."

_Sim._ I believe it's full moon. You go hoame to your place, and moind your business.

_Jane._ My lady will be so pleas'd I found him! I don't wonder at it, he's such a fine spoken man.

_Sim._ Dang it! Will you stand here grinning at the wild bucks.