for you?

Dudley
You run the house. If you would give me a bottle of wine, I will owe
you my life.

Trippet
Heaven preserve me from doing such a thing. If the doctor has
forbidden you wine then that proves it isn't good for you.

Dudley (kneeling)
I beg you, on my knees.

Trippet
Useless prayer.

Dudley
At least give me a pork chop.

Trippet
Not a slice!

Dudley
Ah, if only I were young again. You'd give me the keys to the wine
cellar.

Trippet
I wouldn't bet on that.

Peacock (entering and seeing Dudley on his knees to Trippet)
Ah, Dudley! How passionate you are! My God! That's no way to prepare
for an enema. Come along, return to your room and try to calm yourself
while waiting for the return of Mr. Flem. (Dudley leaves) That's
funny, really.

Trippet
Do you have any idea what he wanted from me?

Peacock
It's not really difficult to figure out. Dirty old gallows-bird.

Trippet
He was trying to cajole me with his sweet talk and passionate
gestures--but I'm not that kind of woman.

Peacock
Good, Trippet. Don't give in to human weakness.

Trippet
I'd let him croak before he could have any.

Peacock
Now wait a minute--if he shows any signs of croaking! You must satisfy
him, Trippet! Ahem! I intend that he live a long life.

Trippet
We are talking at cross-purposes.

Peacock
Oh, that! Trippet, they've come to get me to see a patient--a feverish
cantor who refuses to drink a purge--but before I leave, it will be
easier if I talk to my daughter. Tell her to come see me. (Exit
Trippet) I suppose I could find a better husband for Harriet than this
Flem. For example, a bureaucrat or a down-and-out gentleman. But I
prefer to pay off my own debts, not someone else's. Instead of which,
I will exploit my daughter for all she is worth.

Harriet (entering)
What do you want, Daddy?

Peacock
Something you will like. I've decided to marry you. I've chosen a man
for you who is extremely knowledgeable and will give you complete
satisfaction.

Harriet
Oh, heaven.

Trippet (entering)
Ah!

Peacock
He's totally a skilled practitioner.

Harriet
How unhappy I am!

Peacock
Great fortitude.

Trippet
Now we're headed in different directions.

Peacock
Listen! What's all this about, if you please? I haven't even told you
his name--only of his worthiness, and you are making faces, both of
you.

Trippet
It's not his worth that displeases--it's his incompatible qualities.

Peacock
What?