MRS. BRIDGET CREDULOUS. I am listening, my love, I am listening!—But what signifies my silence, what good is my not speaking a word, if this girl will interrupt and let nobody speak but herself?—Ay, I don’t wonder, my life, at your impatience; your poor dear lips quiver to speak; but I suppose she’ll run on, and not let you put in a word.— You may very well be angry; there is nothing, sure, so provoking as a chattering, talking— LAURETTA. Nay, I’m sure, mamma, it is you will not let papa speak now. MRS. BRIDGET CREDULOUS. Why, you little provoking minx—— JUSTICE CREDULOUS. Get out of the room directly, both of you—get out! MRS. BRIDGET CREDULOUS. Ay, go, girl. JUSTICE CREDULOUS. Go, Bridget, you are worse than she, you old hag. I wish you were both up to the neck in the canal, to argue there till I took you out. _Enter_ SERVANT. SERVANT. Doctor Rosy, sir JUSTICE CREDULOUS. Show him up. [_Exit_ SERVANT.] LAURETTA. Then you own, mamma, it was a marching regiment? MRS. BRIDGET CREDULOUS. You’re an obstinate fool, I tell you; for if that had been the case—— JUSTICE CREDULOUS. You won’t go? MRS. BRIDGET CREDULOUS. We are going, Mr. Surly.—If that had been the case, I say, how could—— LAURETTA. Nay, mamma, one proof—— MRS. BRIDGET CREDULOUS. How could Major—— LAURETTA. And a full proof—— [JUSTICE CREDULOUS _drives them off_.] JUSTICE CREDULOUS. There they go, ding dong in for the day. Good lack! a fluent tongue is the only thing a mother don’t like her daughter to resemble her in. _Enter_ DOCTOR ROSY. Well, doctor, where’s the lad—where’s Trusty? DR. ROSY. At hand; he’ll be here in a minute, I’ll answer for’t. He’s such a one as you an’t met with,—brave as a lion, gentle as a saline draught. JUSTICE CREDULOUS. Ah, he comes in the place of a rogue, a dog that was corrupted by the lieutenant. But this is a sturdy fellow, is he, doctor? DR. ROSY. As Hercules; and the best back-sword in the country. Egad, he’ll make the red coats keep their distance. JUSTICE CREDULOUS. O the villains; this is St. Patrick’s day, and the rascals have been parading my house all the morning. I know they have a design upon me; but I have taken all precautions: I have magazines of arms, and if this fellow does but prove faithful, I shall be more at ease. DR. ROSY. Doubtless he’ll be a comfort to you. _Re-enter_ SERVANT. SERVANT. There is a man below, inquires for Doctor Rosy. DR. ROSY. Show him up. JUSTICE CREDULOUS. Hold! a little caution—how does he look? SERVANT. A country-looking fellow, your worship. JUSTICE CREDULOUS. Oh, well, well, for Doctor Rosy; these rascals try all ways to get in here. SERVANT. Yes, please your worship; there was one here this morning wanted to speak to you; he said his name was Corporal Breakbones. JUSTICE CREDULOUS. Corporal Breakbones! SERVANT. And Drummer Crackskull came again. JUSTICE CREDULOUS. Ay, did you ever hear of such a damned confounded crew? Well, show the lad in here! [_Exit_ SERVANT.]