rusty should just happen--(_While he is turning up the lid of the box, _Mr. H. _enters behind him unperceived._) _Mr. H._ What are you about, you dog? _Landlord._ Oh Lord, Sir I 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. _Landlord_. A natural thirst after knowledge you may call it, Sir. When a boy, I was never easy but when I was thrusting up the lids of some of my schoolfellows' boxes,--not to steal anything, upon my honor, Sir,--only to see what was in them; have had pens stuck in my eyes for peeping through keyholes after knowledge; could never see a cold pie with the legs dangling out at top, but my fingers were for lifting up the crust,--just to try if it were pigeon or partridge,--for no other reason in the world. Surely I think my passion for nuts was owing to the pleasure of cracking the shell to get at something concealed, more than to any delight I took in eating the kernel. In short, Sir, this appetite has grown with my growth. _Mr. H._ You will certainly be hanged some day for peeping into some bureau or other just to see what is in it. _Landlord._ That is my fear, Sir. The thumps and kicks I have had for peering into parcels, and turning of letters inside out,--just for curiosity. The blankets I have been made to dance in for searching parish registers for old ladies' ages,--just for curiosity! Once I was dragged through a horsepond, only for peeping into a closet that had glass-doors to it, while my Lady Bluegarters was undressing,--just for curiosity! _Mr. H._ A very harmless piece of curiosity, truly; and now, Mr. Pry, first have the goodness to leave that box with me, and then do me the favor to carry your curiosity so far, as to inquire if my servants are within. _Landlord._ I shall, Sir. Here, David, Jonathan,--I think I hear them coming,--shall make bold to leave you, Sir. [_Exit._ _Mr. H._ Another tolerable specimen of the comforts of going anonymous! _Enter Two Footmen._ _1st Footman._ You speak first. _2d Footman._ You had better speak.