JUSTICE MERTON [Greeting them.] Permit me, gentlemen; this is fortunate—before your return to Cambridge.
[He conducts them to Mistress Merton and Minister Dodge, centre. Seated left, Dickon is ingratiating himself with Mistress Dodge; Captain Bugby, laughed at by both parties, is received by neither.]
CAPTAIN BUGBY [Puffing smoke toward the ceiling.] Really, I cannot understand what keeps his Excellency, the Lieutenant Governor, so long. He has two such charming daughters, Master Dickonson—
DICKON [To Mistress Dodge.] Yes, yes; such suspicious women with their charms are an insult to the virtuous ladies of the parish.
CAPTAIN BUGBY How, sir!
MISTRESS DODGE And to think that she should actually shoe horses herself!
DICKON It is too hard, dear Mistress Dodge; too hard!
MISTRESS DODGE You are so appreciative, Master Dickonson.
CAPTAIN BUGBY [Piqued, walks another way.] Well!
REV. MASTER RAND [To Justice Merton.] It would not be countenanced in the college yard, sir.