TONY. (Aside.) Father-in-law, by all that’s unlucky, come to take one of his night walks. (To her.) Ah, it’s a highwayman with pistols as long as my arm. A damned ill-looking fellow.
MRS. HARDCASTLE. Good Heaven defend us! He approaches.
TONY. Do you hide yourself in that thicket, and leave me to manage him. If there be any danger, I’ll cough, and cry hem. When I cough, be sure to keep close. (MRS. HARDCASTLE hides behind a tree in the back scene.)
Enter HARDCASTLE.
HARDCASTLE. I’m mistaken, or I heard voices of people in want of help. Oh, Tony! is that you? I did not expect you so soon back. Are your mother and her charge in safety?
TONY. Very safe, sir, at my aunt Pedigree’s. Hem.
MRS. HARDCASTLE. (From behind.) Ah, death! I find there’s danger.
HARDCASTLE. Forty miles in three hours; sure that’s too much, my youngster.
TONY. Stout horses and willing minds make short journeys, as they say. Hem.
MRS. HARDCASTLE. (From behind.) Sure he’ll do the dear boy no harm.