PET. ’Slife, Witwoud, were you ever an attorney’s clerk? Of the family of the Furnivals? Ha, ha, ha! WIT. Ay, ay, but that was but for a while. Not long, not long; pshaw, I was not in my own power then. An orphan, and this fellow was my guardian; ay, ay, I was glad to consent to that man to come to London. He had the disposal of me then. If I had not agreed to that, I might have been bound prentice to a feltmaker in Shrewsbury: this fellow would have bound me to a maker of felts. SIR WIL. ’Sheart, and better than to be bound to a maker of fops, where, I suppose, you have served your time, and now you may set up for yourself. MRS. MAR. You intend to travel, sir, as I’m informed? SIR WIL. Belike I may, madam. I may chance to sail upon the salt seas, if my mind hold. PET. And the wind serve. SIR WIL. Serve or not serve, I shan’t ask license of you, sir, nor the weathercock your companion. I direct my discourse to the lady, sir. ’Tis like my aunt may have told you, madam? Yes, I have settled my concerns, I may say now, and am minded to see foreign parts. If an how that the peace holds, whereby, that is, taxes abate. MRS. MAR. I thought you had designed for France at all adventures. SIR WIL. I can’t tell that; ’tis like I may, and ’tis like I may not. I am somewhat dainty in making a resolution, because when I make it I keep it. I don’t stand shill I, shall I, then; if I say’t, I’ll do’t. But I have thoughts to tarry a small matter in town, to learn somewhat of your lingo first, before I cross the seas. I’d gladly have a spice of your French as they say, whereby to hold discourse in foreign countries. MRS. MAR. Here’s an academy in town for that use. SIR WIL. There is? ’Tis like there may. MRS. MAR. No doubt you will return very much improved. WIT. Yes, refined like a Dutch skipper from a whale-fishing. SCENE XVI. [_To them_] LADY WISHFORT _and_ FAINALL. LADY. Nephew, you are welcome. SIR WIL. Aunt, your servant. FAIN. Sir Wilfull, your most faithful servant. SIR WIL. Cousin Fainall, give me your hand. LADY. Cousin Witwoud, your servant; Mr. Petulant, your servant. Nephew, you are welcome again. Will you drink anything after your journey, nephew, before you eat? Dinner’s almost ready. SIR WIL. I’m very well, I thank you, aunt. However, I thank you for your courteous offer. ’Sheart, I was afraid you would have been in the fashion too, and have remembered to have forgot your relations. Here’s your cousin Tony, belike, I mayn’t call him brother for fear of offence. LADY. Oh, he’s a rallier, nephew. My cousin’s a wit: and your great wits always rally their best friends to choose. When you have been abroad, nephew, you’ll understand raillery better. [FAINALL _and_ MRS. MARWOOD _talk apart_.] SIR WIL. Why, then, let him hold his tongue in the meantime, and rail when that day comes. SCENE XVII. [_To them_] MINCING.