’Squire. “To have and to hold in trust, for the sole and exclusive benefit of my nephew, Francis Millington, until he shall have attained the age of twenty-one years; by which time I hope he will have so far reformed his evil habits, as that he may safely be intrusted with the large fortune which I hereby bequeath to him.”
Swipes. What’s all this? You don’t mean that we are humbugged? In trust!—how does that appear? Where is it?
’Squire. (Pointing to the parchment.) There! In two words of as good old English as I ever penned.
Cur. Pretty well, too, Mr. ’Squire, if we must be sent for to be made a laughing-stock of! She shall pay for every ride she had out of my chaise, I promise you!
Swipes. And for every drop of my beer. Fine times, if two sober, hard-working citizens are to be brought here to be made the sport of a graceless profligate! But we will manage his property for him, Mr. Currie! We will make him feel that trustees are not to be trifled with!
Cur. That will we!
’Squire. Not so fast, gentlemen; for the instrument is dated three years ago, and the young gentleman must already be of age, and able to take care of himself. Is it not so, Francis?
Frank. It is, your worship.
’Squire. Then, gentlemen, having attended to the breaking of this seal according to law, you are released from any further trouble in the premises.
(Exit Swipes and Currie in earnest conversation.)