(Rory behind the scenes, “Huzza for Talbot! Talbot for ever! huzza!”)
Burs. Pooh, it is only Rory O’Ryan, or the roaring lion as I call him. Ha! ha! ha! Rory O’Ryan, alias O’Ryan, the roaring lion; that’s a good one; put it about—Rory O’Ryan, the roaring lion, ha! ha! ha! but you don’t take it—you don’t laugh, Wheeler.
Wheeler. Ha! ha! ha! O, upon my honour I do laugh; ha! ha! ha! (Aside). It is the hardest work to laugh at his wit. (Aloud.) Rory O’Ryan, the roaring lion—ha! ha! ha! You know I always laugh, Bursal, at your jokes—he! he! he!—ready to kill myself.
Burs. (sullenly). You are easily killed, then, if that much laughing will do the business.
Wheel. (coughing). Just then—something stuck in my throat; I beg your pardon.
Burs. (still sullen). Oh, you need not beg my pardon about the matter. I don’t care whether you laugh or no—not I. Now you have got Lord John to declare for you, you are above laughing at my jokes, I suppose.
Wheel. No, upon my word and honour, I did laugh.
Burs. (aside). A fig for your word and honour. (Aloud.) I know I’m of no consequence now; but you’ll remember, that if his lordship has the honour of making you captain, he must have the honour to pay for your captain’s accoutrements; for I sha’n’t pay the piper, I promise you, since I’m of no consequence.
Wheel. Of no consequence! But, my dear Bursal, what could put that into your head? that’s the strangest, oddest fancy. Of no consequence! Bursal, of no consequence! Why, everybody that knows anything—everybody that has seen Bursal House—knows that you are of the greatest consequence, my dear Bursal.
Burs. (taking out his watch, and opening it, looks at it). No, I’m of no consequence. I wonder that rascal Finsbury is not come yet with the dresses (still looking at his watch).