Trim We are trying to make Mr. Matthews think we have returned from a big hunting party in the country. We have just brought two mules home laden with game.
Anna
Two mules! What poachers! Did you depopulate the entire countryside?
Trim
Indeed, yes. We haven't left anything in the meat shops.
Anna
What the deuce are you talking about?
Trim
We were not at Cliffordshire Manor as we wish to fool old man Matthews
into believing. We've only been to a village half a league from
London, and we haven't even killed a sparrow.
Anna
What were you doing there for eight days?
Trim The plague! Beautiful business, but it is a secret that I am not permitted to divulge to you.
Anna
Why not?
Trim Because, my master has forbidden me to speak of it, and that's why I'm dying from the desire to tell you the whole thing. Oh, the heavy weight of a secret! Well—here it is—my master— Stop there, Trim, you are going to do something stupid.
Anna
You hide something from me,—from your mistress?