_Book_. Why, sir, your acting play is entirely supported by the merit of the actor; in which case, it signifies very little whether there be any sense in it or no. Now, your reading play is of a different stamp, and must have wit and meaning in it. These latter I call your substantive, as being able to support themselves. The former are your adjective, as what require the buffoonery and gestures of an actor to be joined with them to shew their signification. _Wit_. Very learnedly defined, truly. _Luck_. Well, but, Mr Bookweight, will you advance fifty guineas on my play? _Book_. Fifty guineas! Yes, sir. You shall have them with all my heart, if you will give me security for them. Fifty guineas for a play! Sir, I would not give fifty shillings. _Luck_. 'Sdeath, sir! do you beat me down at this rate? _Book_. No, nor fifty farthings. Fifty guineas! Indeed your name is well worth that. _Luck_. Jack, take this worthy gentleman and kick him down stairs. _Book_. Sir, I shall make you repent this. _Jack_. Come, sir, will you please to brush? _Book_. Help! murder! I'll have the law of you, sir. _Luck_. Ha, ha, ha! SCENE VIII.--LUCKLESS, WITMORE, MRS MONEYWOOD. _Money_. What noise is this? It is a very fine thing, truly, Mr Luckless, that you will make these uproars in my house. _Luck_. If you dislike it, it is in your power to drown a much greater. Do you but speak, madam, and I am sure no one will be heard but yourself. _Money_. Very well, indeed! fine reflexions on my character! Sir, sir, all the neighbours know that I have been as quiet a woman as ever lived in the parish. I had no noises in my house till you came. We were the family of love. But you have been a nusance to the whole neighbourhood. While you had money, my doors were thundered at every morning at four and five, by coachmen and chairmen; and since you have had none, my house has been besieged all day by creditors and bailiffs. Then there's the rascal your man; but I will pay the dog, I will scour him. Sir, I am glad you are a witness of his abuses of me. _Wit_. I am indeed, madam, a witness how unjustly he has abused you. [JACK _whispers_ LUCKLESS. _Luck_. Witmore, excuse me a moment. SCENE IX.--Mrs MONEYWOOD, WITMORE. _Money_. Yes, sir; and, sir, a man that has never shewn one the colour of his money. _Wit_. Very hard, truly. How much may he be in your debt, pray? Because he has ordered me to pay you. _Money_. Ay! sir, I wish he had. _Wit_. I am serious, I assure you. _Money_. I am very glad to hear it, sir. Here is the bill as we settled it this very morning. I always thought, indeed, Mr Luckless had a great deal of honesty in his principles: any man may be unfortunate; but I knew when he had money I should have it; and what signifies dunning a man when he hath it not? Now that is a way with some people which I could never come in to. _Wit_. There, madam, is your money. You may give Mr Luckless the receipt.