Roger. No, Heav'n be prais'd, they cou'd not change me. Is the Squire stirring yet?
Sideboard. Yes, and that chattering Frenchman is with him. Pray, who is he?
Roger. O that's Mounsieur Abbé—the Squire has brought un home with un to write Remarks, as I overheard un say, upon all our Country Folk. He has learned English on purpose, and jabbers from Morning to Night. Lord! When he was abroad, a used to dress quite and clean in another manner, a was all over black with a silk thing flowing behind, with a spruce Wig, and a black Patch on the Crown of his head, as if a was one of your Sergeants at Law as one may see upon circuit; but dear Heart, the Squire will be in a sad frame presently when I tell un what news I got for un.
Sideboard. Why, what's the matter now?
Roger. I ha' been at the Coostum Hoose to get un things home that he sent by long Sea from Calais but they are all siezed upon, excepten some linnen and wearing Apparrell—Wounds! Says the Coostum Hoose—Gentleman, your Master is an Enemy to his country, to lay out so much Money abroad, and starve honest Tradesfolk at Home, so there's the Devil to pay, a power of Embroidery and Lace, and I don't know what all, seiz'd upon. (Hurra without) Pray Master Sideboard, what may all that mean?
Sideboard. Why those are young Master's Companions before he went abroad, they've heard he's come home, and so they're gather'd about the Doors for joy—there's Bob Dare-devil, and Handsome Billy, and Buckhorse and all the Fellows in Town, I think.
Roger. Ay, but they'll find un another sort of man now, I can tell un that.
(A knocking at the door and Enter a FOOTMAN)
Footman. Is Miss Harriet at Home?
Sideboard. Yes.