Oh! I always detested the thoughts of the thing;--they would put me up, let me say what I would, so I was reduc'd to the necessity of prevailing upon two of my friends to _black ball_ me. Mrs. SIMPER. That, indeed, alters the case. COLONEL. I am vastly happy to hear it: your old acquaintance were afraid they should lose you. Mrs. CIRCUIT. It is a sign they know but little of me--but come, my good folks, I have prepared a small collation in the next room, will you--[_Exeunt._ _Enter_ JACK _and_ WOODFORD. JACK. I'll watch sister, to see that nobody comes; now Woodford make good use of your time. [_Exit_ Woodford.] There, I have left 'em together; if I had staid, I don't believe they would have open'd their mouths for a month: I never saw such an alteration in a lad since the day I was born.--Why, if I had not known him before, I should not have thought he had a word to throw to a dog; but I remember the old proverb: True lovers are shy, When people are by. I'll take a peep to see how they go on:--there they are, just in the same posture I left them; she folding her fingers, and he twirling his hat; why they don't even look at each other: was there ever such a couple of--stay, stay, now he opens his mouth--pshaw!--lord! there he shuts it again--hush! I hear somebody coming--no--nothing at all:--mother is safe I am sure,--there is no danger from her--now let us take t'other--[_peeps at the door._] hum!--gadso, matters are mightily mended--there! there! very well--there he lays down the law--now he claps his hand on his heart--vastly pretty, I vow--there he swops with both his knees on the ground--charming!--and squeezes his hat with both hands, like one of the actors--delightful! she wants him to rise, and he won't--prodigious moving indeed! _Enter_ BETTY. BETTY. So Sir, what are you doing there? JACK. There! where? BETTY. With your eyes glew'd close to the keyhole. JACK. I wanted to speak a word to my sister. BETTY. Then why don't you open her door? JACK. I did not know but she might be saying her prayers. BETTY. Prayers! a likely story! Who says their prayers, at this time of the day?--No, no, that won't pass upon me.--Let me look--very pretty! So, so, I see there's somebody else at his prayers too--fine doings!--As soon as the company goes, I shall take care to inform Madam your mother. JACK. Nay, but Mrs. Betty you won't be so-- BETTY. Indeed. Mr. John, but I shall--I'll swallow none of your secrets, believe me. JACK. What, perhaps your stomach is overloaded already. BETTY. No matter for that, I shall be even with Miss for telling Master about and concerning my drums. JACK. Why, Mrs. Betty, surely sister could not-- BETTY. When she very well knows that I have not sent cards but twice the whole season. JACK. Lord! what signi-- BETTY.