Pon. Sir—for heaven’s sake!—you’ll shake nothing more out of me, depend on’t—if you’ll be pleased to pause a moment, I’ll think of an answer.
Charles. It requires no recollection to say whether you were a witness—
Pon. No indeed, sir, ask my master if I was; besides if I had been, my conscience wouldn’t let me disclose it.
Charles. Your conscience! good, and you’re articled to an attorney!
Pon. True, sir, but there’s a deal of conscience in our office; if my master knew I betrayed his secrets even to you, I believe (in conscience,) he’d hang me if he could.
Charles. If my old friend O’Dedimus proves a rogue at last, I shan’t wonder that you have followed his example.
Pon. No, sir, for I always follow my master’s example, even though it should be in the path of roguery; compliment apart sir, I always followed yours.
Charles. Puppy, you trifle with my patience.
Pon. No indeed, sir, I never play with edg’d tools.
Charles. You wont acknowledge it then.