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and trains, and sweeps, [Mimicking.] and-like a woman?

Jenny. It's very true, what your mamma tells you, miss; you have been spoiled by your old fond grandmother, in Gloucestershire.

Soph. Nay, Jenny, I won't hear you call my dear grandma' names! Though every body told the loving old soul she would spoil me.

Jenny. And now your mamma has sent for you up to town, to finish your edication.

Soph. Yes; she began it the very first day. There' was the staymaker sent for, to screw up my shapes; the shoemaker to cripple my feet; the hair-dresser, -to burn my hair; the jeweller, to bore my ears; and the dentist to file my teeth.

Jenny Ah! you came here such a hoyden! [To MRS LEDGER.] What, an't you gone yet, mistress? Soph. La, Jenny, how can you be so cross to people? What is the matter with this good woman? Jenny. Oh! nothing but poverty.

Soph. Is that all? Here-[Rummaging her pocket.] -give her this half-crown, and make her rich. Jenny. Rich indeed!

Soph. What, is not it enough? La, I am sorry spent all my money yesterday! I laid it out in sweetmeats, cakes, a canary bird, and a poll parrot. But I hope you are not very, very poor?

Mrs L. My husband served the late alderman fiveand-twenty years. His master promised to provide for him; but his pitiless widow can see him thrown with a broken heart upon the parish.

Soph. O dear!-Stop!-Stop a bit! [Running off] Be sure you don't go!

Enter MR SULKY.

Sulky. Where's your mistress, girl?

Jenny. My name is Jane Cocket, sir.

Sulky. Where is your mistress?

[Exit,

Jenny. Busy, sir.

Sulky. Tell her to come down-Don't stare, girl, but go and tell your mistress I want her.

Jenny. [Aside.] Humph! Mr Black and gruff!

Enter SOPHIA with great Glee.

[Exit.

Sophia. I've got it! Here! Take this, good woman; and go home and be happy! Take it, I tell you. [Offering a purse.

Sulky. Who is this? Mrs Ledger! How does your worthy husband?

Mrs L. Alack, sir, ill enough: likely to starve in his latter days.

Sulky. How! Starve?

Mrs L. The Widow refuses to do any thing for

him.

Sulky. Humph!

Mrs L. Service, age, and honesty, are poor pleas, with affluence, ease, and Mrs Warren.

Sulky. Humph!

Mrs L. You, sir, I understand, are the late alderman's executor?

Sulky. I can't tell.

Mrs L. Perhaps you may be able to serve my husband?

Sulky. I don't know-However, give my respects to him. He sha'n't starve: tell him that.

Soph. Nay, but take this in the mean time.

Sulky. Ay; take it, take it. [Exit MRS LEDGER, much affected.] And who are you, Miss Charity? Soph. Me, sir? Oh! I-I am my grandma's granddaughter.

Sulky. Humph!

Soph. Sophia Freelove.
Sulky. Oh!

husband?

Soph. Yes, sir.

The Widow's daughter by her first

Enter JENNY.

Sulky. Where's your mistress?

Jenny. Coming, sir.-So, you have stolen your mamma's purse, miss?

Soph. La, don't say so! I only run away with it. She was bargaining for some smuggled lace with one of your acquaintance, and I thought I could dispose of her money to better advantage.

Jenny. Without her consent?

Soph. Yes, to be sure! I knew I should never dispose of it in that manner with her consent.

Jenny. Well! Here comes your mamma. [Exit.

Enter the WIDOW WARREN, in a fantastic girlish Morning Dress, surrounded by MILLINERS, MANTUA-MAKERS, FURRIERS, HATTERS, &c. with their ATTENDANTS, with Band-boxes; all talking as they

come on.

Widow. So you'll be sure not to forget my chapeau à la Prusse, Mr Mincing?

Hatter. Certainly not, madam.

Widow. And you'll make a delicate choice of the feathers?

Hatter. The selection shall be elegant, madam. Widow. Yes I know, Mr Mincing, you're a charming man!-And you will let me have my pierrot à la Coblentz by nine in the morning, Mrs Tiffany?

Mantua-maker. To a minute, maim.

Sulky. Madam, when you have a moment's lei

sure

Widow. Be quiet, you fright; don't interrupt me! -And my caraco a la hussar, and my bavaroises a la duchesse. And put four rows of pearl in my turban.

Mil. Ver vell, me ladyship.

Widow. And you'll all come together, exactly at

nine?

Omnes. We'll all be here!

[Going. Widow. And don't forget the white ermine tippets, and the black fox muffs, and the Kamschatka furs that you mentioned, Mr Weazel!

Furrier. I'll bring a fine assortment, madam. Widow. And, and, and-No! no-you may all go -I can think of nothing elsc-I shall remember

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mte ladyship.

[Exeunt.

Milliner. Dee ver good bon jour to

Widow. What was it you were saying, Mr Sulky?

-Pray, child, what have you done with my purse?
Soph Given it away, ma'.

Widow. Given it away, minikin?
Soph. Yes, ma'.

Widow. Given my purse away? To whom? For what purpose?

Soph. La, ma', only-only to keep a poor woman from starving!

Widow. I protest, child, your grandmother has totally ruined you!

Sulky. Not quite, madam: she has left the finishing to you.

Widow. What were you saying, Mr Sulky?

Sulky. You won't give me leave to say any thing, madam.

Widow. You know you are a shocking troublesome man, Mr Sulky! I have a thousand things to remember, and can't bear teasing! It fatigues my spirits! So, pray, relate this very urgent business of yours in a single word. What would you have?

Sulky. Justice.

Widow. Lord, what do you mean?-Do you think I am in the commission?

Sulky. Yes, of follies innumerable!

Widow. You are a sad savage, Mr Sulky! And who is it you want justice for?

Sulky. Your late husband's son, John Milford. Widow. Now, pray don't talk to me! You are a very intrusive person! You quite derange my ideas! I can think of nothing soft or satisfactory while you are present.

Sulky. Will you hear me, madam?

Widow. I can't! I positively can't! it is an odious subject!

Soph. Nah, ma', how can you be so cross to my brother Milford?

Widow. Your brother, child?-Country education!-How often, minikin, have I told you he is no brother of yours!

Soph. La, ma', he was your husband's son!

Widow. Yes, hisFaugh! Odious word!--Your brother?

Soph. Yes, that he is!-For he is in distress.
Sulky. Humph!

Widow. And would you, now you who pretend to be a very prudent, ridiculous kind of a person→→→ wish to see me squander the wealth of my poor dear dead good man on Mr Milford, and his profligate companions?

Sulky. Not I, indeed, madam; though the profligate to whom you make love should happen to be one of them!

Widow. Ha, ha, ha! Oh the monster! I make love! You have no eyes, Mr Sulky! [Walking and exhibiting herself] You are really blind! But I know whom you mean.

Sulky. I mean young Dornton, madam.

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