Miss P. One last adieu. (embracing) Think you we shall ever meet again! (they find themselves fastened together, and struggle)
Tagg. D——m me! if I think we shall ever part.
Miss P. (tenderly) Don’t detain me, won’t you let me go?
Tagg. Zounds I wish you were gone (they struggle, and at last get free, and run off different ways.)
Enter Old Pickle.
Pick. Well, all’s not so bad as I feared—he is not yet gone to sea, and Margery assures me I shall see him e’er long, quite another thing from what he was—but now let me look after my sister—though she made me play the fool, I’ll take care to prevent her—I must not give up the consols to——but odso, I have not yet seen my daughter, I’ll to her first, least young yeo, yeo, yeo, should get her ship’t off—and when I have secured fifteen, I’ll look after fifty—but who’s coming here? I’ll conceal myself and watch.
Enter Miss Pickle, with casket.
Miss P. (passing over to the bower) Mr. Tagg, Mr. Tagg—I hope he is returned—how I tremble—kind Cupid, guide your votary’s feeble steps—Oh, my dear Mr. Tagg, take the casket, and let us make haste, that we may escape before my brother comes. [catches hold of Little Pickle, who is behind the bower, disguised as Tagg. Little Pickle kissing her hand. They run towards Old Pickle, who comes forward and stops them.]
Pick. Your most obedient humble servant, madam—well said fifty, egad—sir, your most obsequious, Mr. Alexander, Mr. Romeo—John—William—Thomas, (calling the servants) you shan’t want attendants mighty prince, but mayhap you had rather sleep in a castle, great hero, we have a convenient goal close by—where you’ll be very safe, most illustrious chief.