_Col._ Odds-so! I have cut my Thumb with this cursed Knife! _Lady Answ._ Ay; that was your Mother’s Fault, because she only warn’d you not to cut your Fingers. _Lady Smart._ No, no;’tis only Fools cut their Fingers; but wise Folks cut their Thumbs.—— _Miss._ I’m sorry for it, but I can’t cry. _Col._ Don’t you think Miss is grown? _Lady Answ._ Ay; ill Weeds grow apace. [——_A Puff of Smoke comes down the Chimney._—— _Lady Answ._ Lord, Madam, Does your Ladyship’s Chimney smoke? _Col._ No, Madam; but they say, Smoke always pursues the Fair, and your Ladyship sat nearest. _Lady Smart._ Madam, Do you love Bohea Tea? _Lady Answ._ Why, Madam, I must confess I do love it; but it does not love me. _Miss._ [_to Lady Smart._] Indeed, Madam, your Ladyship is very sparing of your Tea: I protest, the last I took, was no more than Water bewitch’d. _Col._ Pray, Miss, if I may be so bold, What Lover gave you that fine Etuy? _Miss._ Don’t you know? then keep Counsel. _Lady Answ._ I’ll tell you, Colonel, who gave it her; it was the best Lover she will ever have while she lives; her own dear Papa. _Neverout._ Methinks, Miss, I don’t much like the Colour of that Ribbon. _Miss._ Why then, Mr. _Neverout_, do you see, if you don’t much like it, you may look off of it. _Ld. Sparkish._ I don’t doubt, Madam, but your Ladyship has heard, that Sir _John Brisk_ has got an Employment at Court. _Lady Smart._ Yes, yes; and I warrant, he thinks himself no small Fool now. _Neverout._ Yet, Madam, I have heard some People take him for a wise Man. _Lady Smart._ Ay, ay; some are wise, and some are other-wise. _Lady Answ._ Do you know him, Mr. _Neverout_? _Neverout._ Know him! ay, as well as the Beggar knows his Dish. _Col._ Well; I can only say, that he has better Luck than honester Folks: But pray, How came he to get this Employment? _Ld. Sparkish._ Why, by Chance, as the Man kill’d the Devil. _Neverout._ Why, Miss, you are in a brown Study; What’s the Matter? Methinks you look like Mum-Chance, that was hang’d for saying nothing. _Miss._ I’d have you to know, I scorn your Words. _Neverout._ Well; but scornful Dogs will eat dirty Puddings. _Miss._ Well; my Comfort is, your Tongue is no Slander. What! you would not have one be always on the high Grin. _Neverout._ Cry, Map-sticks, Madam; no Offence, I hope. [——_Lady_ Smart _breaks a Tea-cup_.—— _Lady Answ._ Lord, Madam, How came you to break your Cup? _Lady Smart._ I can’t help it, if I would cry my Eyes out. _Miss._ Why, sell it, Madam, and buy a new one with some of the Money. _Col._ ’Tis a Folly to cry for spilt Milk. _Lady Smart._ Why, if Things did not break or wear out, how would Tradesmen live? _Miss._ Well; I am very sick, if any body car’d for it. _Neverout._ Come, then, Miss, e’en make a Die of it, and then we shall have a Burying of our own. _Miss._ The Devil take you, _Neverout_, besides all small Curses.