Sir W. Worse and worse!
Gilb. And moreover, they have it now in the worst place in the whole room, sir. Close at the head of the bed, there is a window with every pane broke, and some out entirely, and the women’s petticoats and the men’s hats just stuck in to stop all for the night, as they say, sir.
{GILBERT tries to stifle his laughter.
Sir W. Laugh out, honest Gilbert. In spite of your gravity and your civility, laugh. There is no harm, but sometimes a great deal of good done by laughing, especially in Ireland. Laughing has mended, or caused to be mended, many things that never would have been mended otherwise.
Gilb. (recovering his gravity) That’s true, I dare to say, sir.
Sir W. Now, Gilbert, if you were to keep an inn, it would be a very different sort of inn from what you have been describing—would not it?
Gilb. I hope so, sir.
Sir W. I remember when we were talking of establishing you in England, that your father told me you would like to set up an inn.
Gilb. (his face brightening) For sartin, sir, ‘tis the thing in the whole world I should like the best, and be the proudest on, if so be it was in my power, and if so be, sir, you could spare me. (Holding his master’s coat for him to put on.)
Sir W. Could. spare you, Gilbert!—I will spare you, whether I can conveniently or not. If I had an opportunity of establishing advantageously a man who has served me faithfully for ten years, do you think I would not put myself to a little inconvenience to do it?—Gilbert, you do not know Sir William Hamden.