Wild Oats Part 3

_Rover._ Here.

_Harry._ Then, I go there. [_Pointing opposite._]

_Rover._ Eh!

_Harry._ My dear boy, on this spot, and at this moment, we must part.

_Rover._ Part!

_Harry._ Rover, you wish me well.

_Rover._ Well, and suppose so. Part, eh! What mystery and grand?

What are you at? Do you forget,--you, Midge, and I, are engaged to Truncheon, the manager, and that the bills are already up with our names to-night to play at Winchester?

_Harry._ Jack, you and I have often met on a stage in a.s.sumed characters; if it's your wish we should ever meet again in our real ones, of sincere friends, without asking whither I go, or my motives for leaving you, when I walk up this road, do you turn down that.

_Rover._ Joke!

_Harry._ I'm serious. Good b'ye!

_Rover._ If you repent your engagement with Truncheon, I'll break off too, and go with you wherever--[_Takes him under the arm._]

_Harry._ Attempt to follow me, and even our acquaintance ends.

_Rover._ Eh!

_Harry._ Don't think of my reasons, only that it must be.

_Rover._ Have I done any thing to d.i.c.k Buskin? leave me! [_Turns and puts his handkerchief to his eyes._]

_Harry._ I am as much concerned as you to--Good b'ye!

_Rover._ I can't even bid him--I won't neither--If any cause could have given--Farewell.

_Harry._ Bless my poor fellow! Adieu. [_Silently weeps._]

[_Exeunt several ways._

ACT THE SECOND.

SCENE I.

_A Village, a Farm House, and near it, a Cottage._

_Enter_ FARMER GAMMON _and_ EPHRAIM.

_F. Gam._ Well, Master Ephraim, I may depend on thee, as you quakers never break your words.

_Eph._ I have spoken to Mary, and she, at my request, consenteth to take thy daughter, Jane, as her handmaid.

_F. Gam._ Very good of you.

_Eph._ Goodness I do like, and also--comely Jane. [_Aside._] The maiden I will prefer, for the sake of--myself. [_Aside._]

_F. Gam._ I intended to make a present to the person that does me such a piece of service; but I shan't affront you with it.

_Eph._ I am meek and humble, and must take affronts.

_F. Gam._ Then here's a guinea, master Ephraim.

_Eph._ I expected not this; but there is no harm in a guinea. [_Exit._

_F. Gam._ So I shall get my children off my hands. My son, Sim, is robbing me day and night,--giving away my corn and what not among the poor.--My daughter Jane--when girls have nought to do, this love-mischief creeps into their minds, and then hey! they're for kicking up their heels.--Sim! [_Calling._]

_Enter_ SIM.

_Sim._ Yes, feyther.

_F. Gam._ Call your sister.

_Sim._ Jane, feyther wants you.

_Enter_ JANE, _from the house, with linen she had been working_.

_Jane._ Did you call me?

_F. Gam._ I often told you both, (but it's now settled) you must go out into the world, and work for your bread.

_Sim._ Well, feyther, whatever you think right, must be so, and I'm content.

_Jane._ And I'm sure, feyther, I'm willing to do as you'd have me.

_F. Gam._ There's ingrat.i.tude for you! When my wife died, I brought you both up from the sh.e.l.l, and now you want to fly off and forsake me.

_Sim._ Why no; I'm willing to live with you all my days.

_Jane._ And I'm sure, feyther, if it's your desire I'll never part from you.

_F. Gam._ What, you want to hang upon me like a couple of leeches, ay, to strip my branches, and leave me a wither'd hawthorn! See who's yon.

[_Exit_ SIM.

Jane, Ephraim Smooth has hired you for Lady Amaranth.

_Jane._ O lack! then I shall live in the great house.