_L. Kin._ My dear Diggy--what, all alone--nobody come? _Mrs. Dig._ Not a mortal, I have been fretting this hour at being alone, and had nothing to divert me but a quarrel with my husband. _L. Kin._ The old fogrum! what, he won’t open his purse strings, I suppose--but you should, make him, for he is as rich as a Jew. _Mrs. Dig._ Aye, but he is as close-fisted as an old judge--Lord, he has no notion of any thing in life, but reading musty books, draining bogs, planting trees, establishing manufactories, setting the common people to work, and saving money. _L. Kin._ Ha, ha, ha! the monster! [_A loud knocking._] _Will._ Major Gamble. _James._ Major Gamble _John._ Major Gamble. _Enter_ John _and Major_ Gamble. _John._ Major Gamble, madam. [_Exit._ _Mrs. Dig._ Major, how is your gout to-day? _Major._ I don’t know how the devil it is, not I--hobbling up your stairs has made me sweat--Lady Kinnegad, I kiss your hands; I ask your pardon, but I must sit down--I cannot stand--I got cold last night, and I feel it to-day--what, is there nobody come yet but us--nothing going forward. [_Loud knocking._] _Will._ Lady Bab Frightful. _James._ Lady Bab Frightful. _John._ Lady Bab Frightful. _L. Kin._ Here she comes, as Mushroom says, Nature’s contradiction--youth and age, frost and fire, winter and summer, an old body and a young mind. _Enter_ John _and Lady_ Bab Frightful. _John._ Lady Bab Frightful, madam. [_Exit._ _Mrs. Dig._ My dear Lady Bab! _L. Bab._ My dear Diggy--Lady Kinnegad, I kiss your hands--O, major--why you had like to have ruined us all last night--the bank was just broke--well, I am a perfect rake--I think I was one of the last this morning. I danced till five. _L. Kin._ As the old saying is, Lady Bab--you can never do it younger--Live while we live, that’s the rule of happiness, you have good spirits, a good jointure, and nobody to controul you--you amiable creature. _L. Bab._ Yes, I thank my stars, I never want spirits, tol, lol, lol, (_sings_)--I could dance till morning. [_Loud knocking._] _Will._ Mrs. Jolly. _James._ Mrs. Jolly. _John._ Mrs. Jolly. _Enter_ John _and Mrs._ Jolly. _John._ Mrs. Jolly, madam. [_Gives a card to Mrs._ Dig. _and exit_. _Mrs. Jolly._ So, good folks. _Mrs. Dig._ Madam, your most obedient. _Mrs. Jolly._ What, all idle!--no loo--no brag--no hazard--nor no dancing begun yet, and Lady Bab here--but where’s Mushroom--I’ve such a story for him.--Where’s the Count, Diggerty? _Enter_ John _with a note and exit_.