pen and swallow you. Half a glass! [holds up decanter.] You've took
half a bottle, you young Ananias! Mark this, sir! When I was a boy,
a boy on my promotion, a child kindly took in from charity-school, a
horphan in buttons like you, I never lied; no, nor never stole, and
you've done both, you little scoundrel. Don't tell ME, sir! there's
plums on your coat, crumbs on your cheek, and you smell sherry, sir! I
ain't time to whop you now, but come to my pantry to-night after you've
took the tray down. Come without your jacket on, sir, and then I'll
teach you what it is to lie and steal. There's the outer bell. Scud, you
vagabond!

Enter LADY K.

LADY K.--What was that noise, pray?

JOHN.--A difference between me and young Page, my lady. I was
instructing him to keep his hands from picking and stealing. I was
learning him his lesson, my lady, and he was a-crying it out.

LADY K.--It seems to me you are most unkind to that boy, Howell. He is
my boy, sir. He comes from my estate. I will not have him ill-used. I
think you presume on your long services. I shall speak to my son-in-law
about you. ["Yes, my lady; no, my lady; very good, my lady." John has
answered each sentence as she is speaking, and exit gravely bowing.]
That man must quit the house. Horace says he can't do without him, but
he must do without him. My poor dear Arabella was fond of him, but he
presumes on that defunct angel's partiality. Horace says this person
keeps all his accounts, sorts all his letters, manages all his affairs,
may be trusted with untold gold, and rescued little George out of
the fire. Now I have come to live with my son-in-law, I will keep his
accounts, sort his letters, and take charge of his money: and if little
Georgy gets into the grate, I will take him out of the fire. What is
here? Invitation from Captain and Mrs. Hopkinson. Invitation from Sir
John and Lady Tomkinson, who don't even ask me! Monstrous! he never
shall go--he shall not go! [MRS. PRIOR has re-entered, she drops a very
low curtsy to Lady K., as the latter, perceiving her, lays the cards
down.]

MRS. PRIOR.--Ah, dear madam! how kind your ladyship's message was to the
poor lonely widow woman! Oh, how thoughtful it was of your ladyship to
ask me to stay to tea!

LADY K.--With your daughter and the children? Indeed, my good Mrs.
Prior, you are very welcome!

MRS. PRIOR.--Ah! but isn't it a cause of thankfulness to be MADE
welcome? Oughtn't I to be grateful for these b