_Clar._ I dare say you do not. But, do you see, I think you ought to mend, or my son ought to send you about your business. To hear people, to say either yes or no, is the least my son can do. If you should attempt to hinder him from doing so, you are a rogue. _Lew._ There is such constant intrusion. _Clar._ Hem! and a great deal of distress too, and-- [Exit Lewis. SCENE IV. Enter PRIVY COUNSELLOR. _P. Coun._ Well, what should it be? Petitions, memorials, poverty, and faint hopes of relief. _Clar._ Why, if you cannot relieve, mercy on us! _P. Coun._ They are repeated so often, and I have so much business-- _Clar._ Now that you have been made a Privy Counsellor, I fear it will still be worse! Well, heaven grant you health, and may you act as you ought, and all may be well yet. _P. Coun._ Why, father, did you return the money I sent?-- _Clar._ Because, thank God! I do not want it. What is the use of having more than is necessary, to supply the wants of life?--I think you have more. _P. Coun._ There is no great harm in that. _Clar._ But I think there is! People will have strange ideas, and do strange things, when they have too much. If I must tell you my mind, son, I am not altogether pleased to see you raised so high of a sudden, Our plain citizens are not altogether satisfied with you and your elevation. They think the other gentlemen shove you near the fire to get the roasted chesnuts out of the coals for themselves, and that you are a good cat's paw. Such, for instance, is that bequest to old Counsellor Reissman. _P. Coun._ Pray, tell me, father, what induces you to oppose that will, which is legal, though I must own it bears hard on the children. _Clar._ Jack, you know your father long, though for some time since you have made a stranger of yourself.--What would you think of me, if I had not commenced the suit? _P. Coun._ The claim rests on a will. _Clar._ Which has been obtained, by the old Counsellor, by undue influence; is not that your opinion? _P. Coun._ Can that be proved?-- _Clar._ We must see-- _P. Coun._ If you cannot prove it, the Counsellor will recover. _Clar._ He certainly will, and therefore you must assist me to combat him. _P. Coun._ Who, I? How came you to think so? Well, we will leave the cause to take its due course, and so should you.-- _Clar._ Ay, ay, Jack. _P. Coun._ Besides, I must tell you, Reissman proposes to give me his daughter. _Clar._ So I hear. The lady has all my best wishes. Heaven prosper your union! But sure you would not begin it by an act of injustice! _P. Coun._ No, certainly not! But why would you, suppose even though Reissman were wrong,--why would you, for the sake of strangers, destroy my happiness?