Cod. Misfortune!
Lynx. He and his wife have also separated; indeed, I hear that of the whole party of married people that sat down to my table yesterday, not one couple are now living together.
Cod. They found my example so very pleasant, I suppose, they could not resist following it.—(Knocking again.)
Young. (Without.)—Open the door, we wish to see you.—(LYNX unbolts the door; YOUNGHUSBAND and DISMAL enter.)
Young. (to CODDLE.)—Ah, my friend, we have found you out at last.
Dis. Mr. Dove is below, and wants to see you.
Cod. He sha’nt come in, I wont have any more visitors. I came here to conceal myself, and here is my whole circle of acquaintance around me already; well, sit down, sit down, as you are here.—(they all sit)—What poor unhappy wretches we all are!
Young. For my own part, I freely confess, that I never was more miserable in all my days, and really begin to think that a wife is an indispensable comfort.
Cod. Where you’ve but one. ’Tis a comfort so peculiarly singular, that once pluralized, it is destroyed.