act. My nose always sniffs like
a terrier's; 'tis in de cupboard, her Hollands;--so, here goes to nibble.

_Music_.--RIP _opens the closet door cautiously, and is rummaging for a
bottle, when he treads on_ KNICKERBOCKER, _who roars out lustily_. RIP,
_in his sudden alarm, upsets the [porcelain and glass];_(_61_)_ and,
falling, rolls into the middle of the chamber, quaking in every limb, and
vociferating loudly._

RIP.

Help! murder! fire! thieves!

KNICKERBOCKER, [_in the interim_](62), _darts out of the closet, and,
[beyond the consciousness of future proceeding]_(_63_)_, throws himself
into the arm-chair_.--ALICE, _entering hastily, throws a cloak over him,
which hides him from observation_.--DAME _enters, alarmed._

DAME.

Odds bodikins and pins! what's the matter, now?

RIP.

[_Raising his head cautiously._] Matter, indeed! [the devil's](64) in
the cupboard! Oh, la! I'll be swammed.

DAME.

In the cupboard!--[_Going there, sees china broken; squalling._]--All my
fine porcelain destroyed! monster! vile, rapacious monster! A devil,
indeed, has been in the cupboard, and that's you. The china, presented
to me by my grand relations, which I set such store on, smashed into a
thousand pieces; 'tis too much for my weak nerves. I shall swoon! I
shall faint! [_She sinks in the arm-chair, but immediately starts up,
and, squalling, falls into _RIP'S _arms._--KNICKERBOCKER _regains the
closet, unobserved by all, save_ ALICE.

DAME.

Heaven have mercy on us! there was somebody in the chair! somebody in
the chair!

RIP.

Phoo! there's nothing in de chair, save your old cloak, [_Tossing it
aside._] dat's all.

DAME.

I'm so alarmed--so agitated, that--Alice, put your hand into my pocket and
you'll find a bottle. [ALICE_ produces a bottle._

RIP.

[_Aside._] A leetle bottle! Oh, dat's de [private](65) cupboard. Alice,
let me hold de leetle bottle, whilst you fetch a glass for the old
woman. [ALICE, _hastening off, brings a wine-glass, which_ RIP _fills
and gives to_ DAME.

RIP.

Here's your [go-to-hell],(66) and your family's and may you live long
and [prosper](67). [_Drinks from the bottle_; ALICE, _in the interim,
proceeds to the closet and brings_ KNICKERBOCKER _out, who is making for
the door, when, hearing some one approach, he again escapes to his
retreat._

ALICE.

[_At door._] Oh, aunt! aunt! here's the burgomaster coming up the
gar