Mrs. J. (running to John.) O John, my brother, they want to send you to the poor-house! You shall not go! you shall not go!
Mr. J. No, John, you shall not go. While we have a crust of bread, you shall share it with us.
John. But I never did like to eat crusts.
Mrs. S. That’s him, for you! He doesn’t want to pay anything for his board, but he wants to have the best.
John. And he doesn’t like to eat dirt.
Mrs. S. Do you mean to say I am a dirty cook?
John (whistles “Yankee Doodle.”) Come, if I am to go to the poor-house, let me be off.
Mrs. J. You shall not go. We are poor, but you shall stay with us. We can find room for you, and we will be provided for, I’ll warrant, some way.
Mrs. S. People oughtn’t to be rash about taking on a load they can’t carry.
Mr. S. Emeline, if Martin and Eliza want to keep John, let them do so; don’t say a word. Of course, I think they have quite enough to do to keep their own heads above water; but if they want to keep John, it is their own business.