_Niece._ Are you not a great admirer of roots, and raw flesh? Let me look upon your nails--Don't you love blackberries, haws, and pig-nuts, mightily? _Hump._ How? _Niece._ Can'st thou deny that thou wert suckled by a wolf? You have not been so barbarous, I hope, since you came among men, as to hunt your nurse, have you? _Hump._ Hunt my nurse? Ay, 'tis so, she's distracted, as sure as a gun. Hark ye, cousin, pray will you let me ask you a question or two? _Niece._ If thou hast yet learned the use of language, speak, monster. _Hump._ How long have you been thus? _Niece._ Thus! What would'st thou say? _Hump._ What's the cause of it? Tell me truly, now; did you never love anybody before me? _Niece._ Go, go, thou'rt a savage. [_Rises._ _Hump._ They never let you go abroad, I suppose. _Niece._ Thou'rt a monster, I tell thee. _Hump._ Indeed, cousin, though 'tis a folly to tell thee so--I am afraid thou art a mad woman. _Niece._ I'll have thee carried into some forest. _Hump._ I'll take thee into a dark room. _Niece._ I hate thee. _Hump._ I wish you did--There's no hate lost, I assure you, cousin Bridget. _Niece._ Cousin Bridget, quoth'a! I'd as soon claim kindred with a mountain bear--I detest thee. _Hump._ You never do any harm in these fits, I hope.--But do you hate me in earnest? _Niece._ Dost thou ask it, ungentle forester? _Hump._ Yes; for I've a reason, look ye. It happens very well if you hate me and are in your senses, for, to tell you truly, I don't much care for you; and there is another fine woman, as I am informed, that is in some hopes of having me. _Niece._ This merits my attention. [_Aside._ _Hump._ Look ye, d'ye see--as I said, since I don't care for you, I would not have you set your heart on me; but if you like anybody else let me know it, and I'll find out a way for us to get rid of one another, and deceive the old folks that would couple us. _Niece._ This wears the face of an amour.--There is something in that thought which makes thy presence less insupportable. _Hump._ Nay, nay, now you're growing fond; if you come with these maid's tricks, to say you hate at first and afterwards like me, you'll spoil the whole design. _Niece._ Don't fear it--When I think of consorting with thee, may the wild boar defile the cleanly ermine; may the tiger be wedded to the kid. _Hump._ When I of thee, may the pole-cat caterwaul with the civet. _Niece._ When I harbour the least thought of thee, may the silver Thames forget its course. _Hump._ When I like thee, may I be soused over head and ears in a horsepond--But do you hate me? _Enter_ AUNT. _Niece._ For ever; and you me? _Hump._ Most heartily. _Aunt._ Ha! I like this. They are come to promises and protestations. [_Aside._ _Hump._ I am very glad I have found a way to please you. _Niece._ You promise to be constant? _Hump._ Till death. _Niece._ Thou best of savages! _Hump._ Thou best of savages! Poor Biddy.