Lady _Head._ Softly, Miss, he'll hear you. Miss _Betty._ If he does, Madam, he'll think I say true, and he'll like me never the worse for that, I hope. Where's your niece _Martilla_, Mrs. _Motherly_? Mama, won't you carry _Martilla_ to the play with us? Lady _Head._ With all my heart, child. _Col._ She's a very pretty civil sort of woman, Madam, and miss will be very happy in having such a companion in the house with her. Miss _Betty._ So I shall indeed, Sir, and I love her dearly already, we are growing very great together. Lady _Head._ But what's become of your brother, child? I han't seen him these two hours, where is he? Miss _Betty._ Indeed, mother, I don't know where he is; I saw him asleep about half an hour ago by the kitchen fire. _Col._ Must not he go to the play too? Lady _Head_. Yes, I think he shou'd go, tho' he'll be weary on't, before it's half done. Miss _Betty._ Weary? yes; and then he'll sit, and yawn, and stretch like a grayhound by the fire-side, 'till he does some nasty thing or other, that they'll turn him out of the house, so it's better to leave him at home. Mrs. _Moth._ O, that were pity, Miss. Plays will enliven him----see, here he comes, and my niece with him. _Enter Squire ~Humphry~ and ~Martilla~._ _Col._ Your servant, Sir; you come in good time, the ladies are all going to the play, and wanted you to help to gallant them. Squire _Humph._ And so 'twill be nine o'clock, before one shall get any supper. Miss _Betty._ Supper! why your dinner is not out of your mouth yet, at least 'tis all about the brims of it. See how greasy his chops is, mother. Lady _Head._ Nay, if he han't a mind to go, he need not. You may stay here 'till your father comes home from the parliament-house, and then you may eat a broil'd bone together. Miss _Betty._ Yes, and drink a tankard of strong beer together; and then he may tell you all he has been doing in the parliament-house, and you may tell him all you have been thinking of when you were asleep, in the kitchen: and then if you'll put it all down in writing, when we come from the play, I'll read it to the company. Squire _Humph._ Sister, I don't like your joaking, and you are not a well-behav'd young woman; and altho' my mother encourages you, my thoughts are, you are not too big to be whipt. Miss _Betty._ How, sirrah? Squire _Humph._ There's a civil young gentlewoman stands there, is worth a hundred of you. And I believe she'll be married before you. Miss _Betty._ Cots my life, I have a good mind to pull your eyes out. Lady _Head._ Hold, Miss, hold, don't be in such a passion, neither.