m more than I love Mr. Worthy.

Trippet
You hate him so much already?

Harriet
Rather than marry him, I am capable of going to the last extremities.

Trippet
Stay of that mind. It may be helpful if we can't manage things in an
honest way.

Harriet
Shut up, you fool, my father is coming.

Trippet
Let us continue to dissemble.

Peacock (entering)
Well! Trippet, in what frame of mind is your mistress?

Trippet
In a mood to obey you. Oh, indeed, we've had a change of mind since
you left. We paid attention to your wise advice. Do you know, sir,
that we've learned to love old men?

Peacock
Are you serious?

Trippet
Ask Mr. Flem in what manner we received him. Presently, we have eyes
only for your old friend.

Peacock
I don't know if you're speaking seriously, but the fact of the matter
is, an older man is better.

Trippet
A thousand times better. I wish someone would give me the choice
between an old man and a young musketeer. It wouldn't take me long to
make up my mind, let me tell you.

Peacock
In fact, an old boy tends to be very indulgent towards a young wife.

Trippet
Oh, yes. In place of a young man who is indulgent only towards his
friends. An old husband leaves us his wealth by dying and a young one
doesn't die until he's gobbled up our dowry.

Peacock
Sometimes that girl is pretty smart. Now, Harriet, I'm delighted you
no longer dislike Mr. Flem--

Harriet (under her breath)
Ah, I prefer death.

Peacock
What did she say under her breath about dying?

Trippet
She says she'd rather die than lose him. She's crazy about him.

Peacock
Well, that's a passion that's arrived rather suddenly.

Trippet
And a proper one, too.

Peacock
But, it's a sort of madness, Trippet.

Trippet
Assuredly. Now, if you were to forbid her to love him, she would love
him even more.

Peacock
Who are these people coming here?

(Enter Jeremy and Worthy.)

Trippet
They seem to be some kind of soldiers.

Jeremy (disguised as a colonel)
I am looking for Dr. Peacock. They say he looks rather large and
bloated. Necessarily, it must be you.

Peacock
I am Dr. Peacock.

Jeremy
Ah, sir, let me embrace you. In the fashionable world you are often
spoken of. They say you are a clever doctor and your prescriptions are
written in elegant Latin.

Peacock
Sir!

Jeremy
Ah, ha! Who are these lovely ladies?

Peacock
This is my daughter and this is her maid.

Jeremy
To show you how much honor I feel