MRS. S. Yes, sir, but conceive my annoyance, when instead of a receipt, as I anticipated, I found the paper consisted of a few wretched insipid verses; intended to be very complimentary, no doubt, but commonplace in the extreme.
RAT. (aside) This is pleasant. I thought they were remarkably pretty verses. (aloud) Might I be favoured with a perusal of them?
MRS. S. Unfortunately, a near neighbour of mine, a magistrate happened to look in, and thinking it would forward the ends of justice, I placed the paper in his hands.
RAT. A magistrate?
MRS. S. Yes, who on looking at it, suddenly exclaimed, “I cannot be mistaken—no, I’ll swear to the handwriting.”
RAT. Indeed! (aside) The devil! (aloud) and his name is——
MRS. S. Boldwig.
RAT. Boldwig! (aside) My old colonel, damn it, I’ve written a hundred letters to him.
MRS. S. The colonel fancies the robber may be still concealed on the premises.
RAT. (forcing a laugh) Ha, ha! Still on the premises, a very likely matter.