(_Enter_ SKINFLINT _dressed in a Nightgown, a fur Nightcap, his hands muffled in Flannel, his feet in gouty Shoes_) _Bell._ A good morning to you, Sir. _Skin._ A good morning to you, Nephew. Auh! auh! _Bell._ I am sorry to hear, Sir, you have had so bad a Night. _Skin._ I had indeed, Nephew; I was afraid it was all over. Such another Fit would carry me off. Auh! auh! _Bell._ But you are pretty well this morning, I hope, Sir. _Skin._ Something better but very weak--very faint indeed, Nephew! O--o--o, very faint. _Bell._ You should take something comfortable, Sir--Cordials to repair the breaches you Illness hath made. _Skin._ Lord, Nephew, it would require such a monstrous deal of Money, and really these Syringe Carriers and Glyster Baggs and Doctors give themselves such Airs, that a Man can't have their Assistance, nor any of their Druggs and Slops under their Weight in Gold; therefore, I think, Nephew, since we are to dye we had better save our Money. _Bell._ I grant you, Sir, the Fees of Surgeons and Physicians are exorbitant,--yet as Health and Life are our most valuable Blessings, we might lay a little out in Support of them--I mean in Cases of very great Danger. _Skin._ No, no, the--auh, auh!--the Tenement is not worth the Repairs--auh--auh--I am like an old House that is ready to drop--the first high Wind, down I shall go--the next fit will carry me off. _Bell._ Heaven forbid, Sir. _Skin._ Therefore, I am resolved--auh! to settle my Affairs this very day. You know, Nephew, you were talking of Harriet, my Lady Lovewealth's Daughter; but my Lady truly will not consent to the Match, unless I make you my sole Heir, which you know, Child, cannot be, as I have another Nephew and a Niece, Sir Roger Bumper and his Sister, whom I intend to provide for. _Bell._ Very true, Sir. _Skin._ And so--Harry--as my Lady and I could not hit it off in regard to you--she hath persuaded me to marry the Girl myself; what is your Judgment of it, Nephew? ha! _Bell._ If you like it, Sir, there can be no Objection to it. (_Enter a_ SERVANT) _Serv._ Sir, there is Mr. Littlewit, the Proctor, come to know your Commands. _Skin._ Desire him to walk in. (_Exit Servant_) (_Enter Mr._ LITTLEWIT) So Mr. Littlewit, I have sent for you upon a Business which will perhaps surprize you; it is to draw up my marriage Articles. _Little._ What between you and Death, I suppose. Ha! Your Will, I reckon you mean. _Skin._ Dear Mr. Littlewit, your Jest is very ill timed; I mean, Sir, my marriage Articles with Harriet Lovewealth, and at the same time I intend to make my Will too; here are the Directions in this Paper for both; and let them be drawn up as soon as possible and looked over by my old Friend, Doctor Leatherhead; and pray bring him with you this Afternoon. _Little._ Sir, your Directions shall be observed with Punctuality and Expedition. (_Exit_)