_Eph._ I expected not this; but there is no harm in a guinea. [_Exit._ _F. Gam._ So I shall get my children off my hands. My son, Sim, is robbing me day and night,--giving away my corn and what not among the poor.--My daughter Jane--when girls have nought to do, this love-mischief creeps into their minds, and then hey! they're for kicking up their heels.--Sim! [_Calling._] _Enter_ SIM. _Sim._ Yes, feyther. _F. Gam._ Call your sister. _Sim._ Jane, feyther wants you. _Enter_ JANE, _from the house, with linen she had been working_. _Jane._ Did you call me? _F. Gam._ I often told you both, (but it's now settled) you must go out into the world, and work for your bread. _Sim._ Well, feyther, whatever you think right, must be so, and I'm content. _Jane._ And I'm sure, feyther, I'm willing to do as you'd have me. _F. Gam._ There's ingratitude for you! When my wife died, I brought you both up from the shell, and now you want to fly off and forsake me. _Sim._ Why no; I'm willing to live with you all my days. _Jane._ And I'm sure, feyther, if it's your desire I'll never part from you. _F. Gam._ What, you want to hang upon me like a couple of leeches, ay, to strip my branches, and leave me a wither'd hawthorn! See who's yon. [_Exit_ SIM. Jane, Ephraim Smooth has hired you for Lady Amaranth. _Jane._ O lack! then I shall live in the great house. _F. Gam._ She has sent us all presents of good books, [_Gives her one._] to read a chapter in. That, when one's in a passion, gives a mon patience. _Jane._ Thank her good ladyship. _F. Gam._ My being incumbred with you both is the cause why old Banks won't give me his sister. _Jane._ That's a pity. If we must have a step-mother, Madam Amelia would make us a very good one. But I wonder how she can refuse you, feyther, for I'm sure she must think you a very portly man in your scarlet vest and new scratch. You can't think how parsonable you'd look, if you'd only shave twice a week, and put sixpence in the poor-box. [_Retires reading._] _F. Gam._ However, if Banks still refuses, I have him in my power. I'll turn them both out of their cottage yonder, and the bailiff shall provide them with a lodging. _Enter_ BANKS. Well, neighbour Banks, once for all, am I to marry your sister? _Banks._ That she best knows. _F. Gam._ Ay, but she says she won't. _Banks._ Then I dare say she won't, for though a woman, I never knew her to speak what she didn't think. _F. Gam._ Then she won't have me? A fine thing this, that you and she, who are little better than paupers, dare be so damn'd saucy! _Banks._ Why, farmer, I confess we're poor: but while that's the worst our enemies can say of us, we're content. _F. Gam._ Od, dom it! I wish I had now a good, fair occasion to quarrel with him; I'd make him content with a devil to him; I'd knock'en down, send him to jail and--But I'll be up with him! _Enter_ SIM.