SERVANT.--You seem, master, to be in good spirits. HUSBAND.--For my good spirits there is a good reason. I have made, as you know, an engagement to go and visit Hana this evening. But as my old woman has got scent of the affair, thus making it difficult for me to go, I have told her that I mean to perform the religious devotion of abstraction for a whole day and night--a very good denial, is it not? for carrying out my plan of going to see Hana! SERVANT.--A very good device indeed, sir. HUSBAND.--But in connection with it, I want to ask you to do me a good turn. Will you? SERVANT.--Pray, what may it be? HUSBAND.--Why, just simply this: it is that I have told my old woman not to intrude on my devotions; but, being the vixen that she is, who knows but what she may not peep and look in? in which case she would make a fine noise if there were no semblance of a religious practice to be seen; and so, though it is giving you a great deal of trouble, I wish you would oblige me by taking my place until my return. SERVANT.--Oh! it would be no trouble; but I shall get such a scolding if found out, that I would rather ask you to excuse me. HUSBAND.--What nonsense you talk! Do oblige me by taking my place; for I will not allow her to scold you. SERVANT.--Oh sir! that is all very well; but pray excuse me for this time. HUSBAND.--No, no! you must please do this for me; for I will not so much as let her point a finger at you. SERVANT.--Please, please let me off! HUSBAND.--Gracious goodness! The fellow heeds what my wife says, and won't heed what I say myself! Do you mean that you have made up your mind to brave me? [_Threatening to beat him._ SERVANT.--Oh! I will obey. HUSBAND.--No, no! you mean to brave me! SERVANT.--Oh no, sir! surely I have no choice but to obey. HUSBAND.--Really and truly? SERVANT.--Yes, really and truly. HUSBAND.--My anger was only a feint. Well, then, take my place, please. SERVANT.--Yes, to be sure; if it is your desire, I will do so. HUSBAND.--That is really too delightful. Just stop quiet while I set things to rights for you to sit in abstraction. SERVANT.--Your commands are laid to heart. HUSBAND.--Sit down here. SERVANT.--Oh! what an unexpected honor! HUSBAND.--Now, then; I fear it will be uncomfortable, but oblige me by putting your head under this "abstraction blanket." SERVANT.--Your commands are laid to heart. HUSBAND.--Well, it is scarcely necessary to say so; but even if my old woman should tell you to take off the abstraction blanket, be sure not to do so until my return. SERVANT.--Of course not. I should not think of taking it off. Pray don't be alarmed. HUSBAND.--I will be back soon. SERVANT.--Please be good enough to return quickly. HUSBAND.--Ah! that is well over! No doubt Hana is waiting impatiently for me. I will make haste and go.