FREDERICK. I did not consider that we have been all this time in the open road. [_Goes to the Inn, and knocks at the door._] Here, Landlord! LANDLORD _re-enters._ LANDLORD. Well, what is the matter now? FREDERICK. Make haste, and get a bed ready for this good woman. LANDLORD. [_with a sneer_]. A bed for this good woman! ha, ha ha! She slept last night in that pent-house; so she may to-night. [_Exit, shutting the door._ FREDERICK. You are an infamous—[_goes back to his mother_] Oh! my poor mother—[_runs to the Cottage at a little distance, and knocks_]. Ha! halloo! Who is there? _Enter_ COTTAGER. COTTAGER. Good day, young soldier.—What is it you want? FREDERICK. Good friend, look at that poor woman. She is perishing in the public road! It is my mother.—Will you give her a small corner in your hut? I beg for mercy’s sake—Heaven will reward you. COTTAGER. Can’t you speak quietly? I understand you very well. [_Calls at the door of the hut._] Wife, shake up our bed—here’s a poor sick woman wants it. [_Enter_ WIFE]. Why could not you say all this in fewer words? Why such a long preamble? Why for mercy’s sake, and heaven’s reward? Why talk about reward for such trifles as these? Come, let us lead her in; and welcome she shall be to a bed, as good as I can give her; and our homely fare. FREDERICK. Ten thousand thanks, and blessings on you! WIFE. Thanks and blessings! here’s a piece of work indeed about nothing! Good sick lady, lean on my shoulder. [_To_ Frederick] Thanks and reward indeed! Do you think husband and I have lived to these years, and don’t know our duty? Lean on my shoulder. [_Exeunt into the Cottage._ ACT II. SCENE I. _A room in the Cottage._ AGATHA, COTTAGER, _his_ WIFE, _and_ FREDERICK _discovered_—AGATHA _reclined upon a wooden bench,_ FREDERICK _leaning over her._ FREDERICK. Good people have you nothing to give her? Nothing that’s nourishing. WIFE. Run, husband, run, and fetch a bottle of wine from the landlord of the inn. FREDERICK. No, no—his wine is as bad as his heart: she has drank some of it, which I am afraid has turned to poison. COTTAGER. Suppose, wife, you look for a new-laid egg? WIFE. Or a drop of brandy, husband—that mostly cures me. FREDERICK. Do you hear, mother—will you, mother? [Agatha _makes a sign with her hand as if she could not take any thing._] She will not. Is there no doctor in this neighbourhood? WIFE. At the end of the village there lives a horse-doctor. I have never heard of any other. FREDERICK. What shall I do? She is dying. My mother is dying.—Pray for her, good people! AGATHA. Make yourself easy, dear Frederick, I am well, only weak—Some wholesome nourishment— FREDERICK. Yes, mother, directly—directly. [_Aside_] Oh where shall I—no money—not a farthing left. WIFE. Oh, dear me! Had you not paid the rent yesterday, husband— COTTAGER. I then, should know what to do. But as I hope for mercy, I have not a penny in my house.