Well, don’t imply it again—don’t, because— _Enter_ Knickerbocker _and_ ALICE, _arm-in-arm—both grown stout._ KNICKERBOCKER. Halloa! what’s going on—a matrimonial tiff? My wife has just been giving me a few words, because I told her that she waddles up and down, and rolls about like one of our butter-laden luggers in a squall, as the Dutchmen have it. ALICE. You have no occasion to talk, Mr. Knickerbocker, for, I am sure, your corporation— KNICKERBOCKER. Yes, I belong to the town corporation, and to look respectable, am obliged to have one of my own. Master Vedder, a word with you. [_Talks aside with him._ ALICE. [_Going to_ DAME.] You wish now, that my poor brother Rip hadn’t died, don’t you? DAME. [_Sighing._] But I thought Nicholas Vedder would have been just as easy to manage: he was as mild as a dove before our marriage. ALICE. You ought to have known that to be allowed to wear the inexpressibles by two husbands was more than the most deserving of our sex had any right to expect. DAME. Oh, dear me! I never thought that I should live to be any man’s slave. ALICE. Ah, we never know what we may come to! but your fate will be a warning and example for me, if Mr. Knickerbocker should take it into his head to leave me a widow. VEDDER. Mrs. Vedder, what are you whispering about there? DAME. Nothing! VEDDER. Well, don’t whisper it any more. ALICE. [_Aside_, to DAME.] Come along with me. VEDDER. Mrs. Vedder, take yourself out of the room. ALICE. Mr. Knickerbocker, I shall expect you to follow me immediately. [_Exeunt_ ALICE _and_ DAME. KNICKERBOCKER. And this is the last day of the term fixed on by the agreement! VEDDER. Yes; and Herman is resolute, and so am I. KNICKERBOCKER. I am sorry for poor Lowena. VEDDER. She shouldn’t have had a fool for a father. KNICKERBOCKER. It was unfortunate, but I can’t exactly see that it was her fault. [_Exeunt._ SCENE III. _The Town of_ RIP’S _nativity, instead of the Village as presented in first scene of the drama.—It is now a populous and flourishing settlement.—On the spot where_ RORY’S _tap-house formerly stood, is a handsome hotel, and the sign of_ “George III” _is altered into that of_ “George Washington.” _A settee in front, with table.—The harbour is filled with shipping.—Music at the opening of the scene._ SETH [SLOUGH,](144) _the landlord, enters from the Hotel.—Loud shouts._ SETH.