Wife.—Yes, yes, there's nobody knows what they can do till they are tried; two maids may do all my house-business, and I'll look after my children myself; and if I live to see them grown a little bigger, I'll make them help one another, and keep but one maid; I hope that will be one step towards helping it.
Husb.—And what will all your friends and acquaintance, and the world, say to it?
Wife.—Not half so much as they would to see you break, and the world believe it be by my high living, keeping a house full of servants, and do nothing myself.
Husb.—They will say I am going to break upon your doing thus, and that's the way to make it so.
Wife.—I had rather a hundred should say you were going to break, than one could say you were really broke already.
Husb.—But it is dangerous to have it talked of, I say.
Wife.—No, no; they will say we are taking effectual ways to prevent breaking.
Husb.—But it will put a slur upon yourself too. I cannot bear any mortifications upon you, any more than I can upon myself.
Wife.—Don't tell me of mortifications; it would be a worse mortification, a thousand times over, to have you ruined, and have your creditors insult me with being the occasion of it.
Husb.—It is very kind in you, my dear, and I must always acknowledge it; but, however, I would not have you straiten yourself too much neither.