[_Walks about._

_Sir Abel._ Why, Bob, where have you been?

_Handy, jun._ I don't know where I've been.

_Sir Abel._ And what have you got in your hand?

_Handy, jun._ What! All I could keep of your nonsensical ricketty
plough. [_Walks about_, SIR ABEL _following._

_Sir Abel._ Come, none of that, sir.--Don't abuse my plough, to cover
your ignorance, sir? where is it, sir? and where are my famous
Leicestershire horses, sir?

_Handy, jun._ Where? ha, ha, ha! I'll tell you as nearly as I can, ha,
ha! What's the name of the next county?

_Ash._ It be called Wiltshire, zur.

_Handy, jun._ Then, dad, upon the nicest calculation I am able to make,
they are at this moment engaged in the very patriotic act of ploughing
Salisbury plain, ha ha! I saw them fairly over that hill, full gallop,
with the curricle plough at their heels.

_Ash._ Ha, ha! a good one, ha ha!

_Handy, jun._ But never mind, father, you must again set your invention
to work, and I my toilet:--rather a deranged figure to appear before a
lady in. [_Fiddles._] Hey day! What! are you going to dance?

_Ash._ Ees, zur; I suppose you can sheake a leg a bit?

_Handy, jun._ I fancy I can dance every possible step, from the _pas
ruse_ to the war-dance of the Catawbaws.

_Ash._ Likely.--I do hope, miss, you'll join your honest neighbours;
they'll be deadly hurt an' you won't gig it a bit wi' un.

_Miss B._ With all my heart.

_Sir Abel._ Bob's an excellent dancer.

_Miss B._ I dare say he is, sir? but on this occasion, I think I ought
to dance with the young man, who gained the prize--I think it would be
most pleasant--most proper, I mean; and I am glad you agree with
me.--So, sir, if you'll accept my hand-- [HENRY _takes it._

_Sir Abel._ Very pleasantly settled, upon my soul!--Bob, won't you
dance?

_Handy, jun._ I dance!--no, I'll look at them--I'll quietly look on.

_Sir Abel._ Egad now, as my wife's away, I'll try to find a pretty girl,
and make one among them.

_Ash._ That's hearty!--Come, Dame, hang the rheumatics!--Now, lads and
lasses, behave pratty, and strike up. [_A dance._

[HANDY, jun. _looks on a little, and then begins to move his legs--then
dashes into the midst of the dance, and endeavours to imitate every one
opposite to him; then being exhausted, he leaves the dance, seizes the
fiddle, and plays 'till the curtain drops._]

ACT THE THIRD.

SCENE I.