_Henry._ At the beginning of the contest I observed a gentleman; his horses, I believe, were unruly; but my attention was too much occupied to allow me to notice more. [_Laughing without._ _Handy, jun._ [_Without._] How dare you laugh? _Sir Abel._ That's Bob's voice! [_Laughing again._ _Enter_ HANDY, jun. _in a smock frock, cocked hat, and a piece of a plough in his hand._ _Handy, jun._ Dare to laugh again, and I'll knock you down with this!--Ugh! how infernally hot! [_Walks about._ _Sir Abel._ Why, Bob, where have you been? _Handy, jun._ I don't know where I've been. _Sir Abel._ And what have you got in your hand? _Handy, jun._ What! All I could keep of your nonsensical ricketty plough. [_Walks about_, SIR ABEL _following._ _Sir Abel._ Come, none of that, sir.--Don't abuse my plough, to cover your ignorance, sir? where is it, sir? and where are my famous Leicestershire horses, sir? _Handy, jun._ Where? ha, ha, ha! I'll tell you as nearly as I can, ha, ha! What's the name of the next county? _Ash._ It be called Wiltshire, zur. _Handy, jun._ Then, dad, upon the nicest calculation I am able to make, they are at this moment engaged in the very patriotic act of ploughing Salisbury plain, ha ha! I saw them fairly over that hill, full gallop, with the curricle plough at their heels. _Ash._ Ha, ha! a good one, ha ha! _Handy, jun._ But never mind, father, you must again set your invention to work, and I my toilet:--rather a deranged figure to appear before a lady in. [_Fiddles._] Hey day! What! are you going to dance? _Ash._ Ees, zur; I suppose you can sheake a leg a bit? _Handy, jun._ I fancy I can dance every possible step, from the _pas ruse_ to the war-dance of the Catawbaws. _Ash._ Likely.--I do hope, miss, you'll join your honest neighbours; they'll be deadly hurt an' you won't gig it a bit wi' un. _Miss B._ With all my heart. _Sir Abel._ Bob's an excellent dancer. _Miss B._ I dare say he is, sir? but on this occasion, I think I ought to dance with the young man, who gained the prize--I think it would be most pleasant--most proper, I mean; and I am glad you agree with me.--So, sir, if you'll accept my hand-- [HENRY _takes it._ _Sir Abel._ Very pleasantly settled, upon my soul!--Bob, won't you dance? _Handy, jun._ I dance!--no, I'll look at them--I'll quietly look on. _Sir Abel._ Egad now, as my wife's away, I'll try to find a pretty girl, and make one among them. _Ash._ That's hearty!--Come, Dame, hang the rheumatics!--Now, lads and lasses, behave pratty, and strike up. [_A dance._ [HANDY, jun. _looks on a little, and then begins to move his legs--then dashes into the midst of the dance, and endeavours to imitate every one opposite to him; then being exhausted, he leaves the dance, seizes the fiddle, and plays 'till the curtain drops._] ACT THE THIRD. SCENE I.