Comp. A Lass, is it, or a Lad, Wench? I shou’d be glad of both; I look’d for a pair of Compasses long afore now.
Peg. What, and you from home, Love?
Comp. I from home? Why thô I was from home, and other of our Neighbours from home, does that follow that every body else is from home?
Peg. I am pleased you are so merry, Husband.
Comp. Merry, nay I’ll be merrier yet; why shou’d I be sorry? I hope my Boy’s well, is he not? Od’s fish, I look for another by this Time.
Peg. Boy, what Boy, Deary?
Comp. What Boy! why the Boy I got when I came home in the Cock-boat one Night, about a Year ago; You have not forgotten it, I hope, I think I left behind me for a Boy, and a Boy I look for.
Peg. I find he knows all—What shall I do? [Aside.]
O dear Husband, pray pardon me. [Kneels.]
Comp. Pardon thee; why I hope thou hast not made away with my Boy, hast thou? Od’s death I’ll hang thee, if there were never a Whore more in London, if thou hast.
Peg. O no; but your long Absence, and the Rumour of your Death, [Cries.] made me think I might venture.