Peacock Now wait a minute--if he shows any signs of croaking! You must satisfy him, Trippet! Ahem! I intend that he live a long life. Trippet We are talking at cross-purposes. Peacock Oh, that! Trippet, they've come to get me to see a patient--a feverish cantor who refuses to drink a purge--but before I leave, it will be easier if I talk to my daughter. Tell her to come see me. (Exit Trippet) I suppose I could find a better husband for Harriet than this Flem. For example, a bureaucrat or a down-and-out gentleman. But I prefer to pay off my own debts, not someone else's. Instead of which, I will exploit my daughter for all she is worth. Harriet (entering) What do you want, Daddy? Peacock Something you will like. I've decided to marry you. I've chosen a man for you who is extremely knowledgeable and will give you complete satisfaction. Harriet Oh, heaven. Trippet (entering) Ah! Peacock He's totally a skilled practitioner. Harriet How unhappy I am! Peacock Great fortitude. Trippet Now we're headed in different directions. Peacock Listen! What's all this about, if you please? I haven't even told you his name--only of his worthiness, and you are making faces, both of you. Trippet It's not his worth that displeases--it's his incompatible qualities. Peacock What? What incompatible qualities? Trippet Eh! Yes, sir. Those qualities are certainly found in an old dotard. You are painting a wretched portrait of a handsome young man. Peacock But, I don't propose to marry my daughter to some old fuddy-duddy. It's Mr. Flem. Harriet (surprised) Mr. Flem! Trippet (same tone) Mr. Flem! Peacock Yes, Mr. Flem. He's only fifty. Not old enough to be too virtuous. Trippet A virtuous man is not for Miss Harriet, and I am going to prove it. In order to know the worth of a virtuous husband, is it not necessary for the wife to be dispirited herself? First, give her a young man of twenty, and not only will she be fine, she'll have a reasonable husband. Peacock Nice reasoning. A smart daughter ought not to examine her future husband too closely. She ought to consider it a pleasure to find one agreeable to her father. Understand, Harriet? Now, on my return, I expect to find you disposed to receive the hand of Mr. Flem. (exit) Harriet Did you hear, Trippet? Is there a misfortune equal to mine? Isn't it enough to lose hope of being with Worthy? Now, I must reconcile myself to becoming the wife of this detestable Mr. Flem. Trippet Flem is difficult to swallow--assuredly. Harriet Worthy, dear Worthy, what will your despair be when you hear this news? Trippet Alas! I believe I can already see how unhappy he will be. What a lively sadness moistens his eye. What tears mix with yours. Oh, I loathe the old apothecary. Harriet Trippet, your joking is unseasonable.