(_Solus_.) The house is turned upside down since the strange gentleman came into it. Nothing but guessing and speculating, and speculating and guessing; waiters and chambermaids getting into corners and speculating, ostlers and stable-boys speculating in the yard, I believe the very horses in the stable are speculating too, for there they stand in a musing posture, nothing for them to eat, and not seeming to care whether thay have any thing or no; and after all what does it signify? I hate such curious--odso, I must take this box up into his bed-room--he charged me to see to it myself--I hate such inquisitive--I wonder what is in it, it feels heavy (_Reads_) "Leases, title deeds, wills." Here now a man might satisfy his curiosity at once. Deeds must have names to them, so must leases and wills. But I wouldn't--no I wouldn't--it is a pretty box too--prettily dovetailed--I admire the fashion of it much. But I'd cut my fingers off, before I'd do such a dirty--what have I to do--curse the keys, how they rattle--rattle in one's pockets--the keys and the halfpence (_takes out a bunch and plays with them_). I wounder if any of these would fit; one might just try them, but I wouldn't lift up the lid if they did. Oh no, what should I be the richer for knowing? (_All this time he tries the keys one by one_.) What's his name to me? a thousand names begin with an H. I hate people that are always prying, poking and prying into things,--thrusting their finger into one place--a mighty little hole this--and their keys into another. Oh Lord! little rusty fits it! but what is that to me? I wouldn't go to--no no--but it is odd little rusty should just happen. (_While he is turning up the lid of the box_, MR. H. _enters behing him unperceived_.) MR. H. What are you about, you dog? LANDLORD Oh Lord, Sir! pardon; no thief as I hope to be saved. Little Pry was always honest. MR. H. What else could move you to open that box! LANDLORD Sir, don't kill me, and I will confess the whole truth. This box happened to be lying--that is, I happened to be carrying this box, and I happened to have my keys out, and so--little rusty happened to fit-- MR. H. So little rusty happened to fit!--and would not a rope fit that rogue's neck? I see the papers have not been moved: all is safe, but it was as well to frighten him a little (_aside_). Come, Landlord, as I think you honest, and suspect you only intended to gratify a little foolish curiosity-- LANDLORD That was all, Sir, upon my veracity. MR. H. For this time I will pass it over. Your name is Pry, I think. LANDLORD Yes, Sir, Jeremiah Pry, at your service. MR. H. An apt name, you have a prying temper. I mean, some little curiosity, a sort of inquisitiveness about you.