Sir J. Bev. Let me see, Humphry; I think it is now full forty years since I first took thee to be about myself.
Humph. I thank you, sir, it has been an easy forty years; and I have passed 'em without much sickness, care, or labour.
Sir J Bev. Thou hast a brave constitution; you are a year or two older than I am, sirrah.
Humph. You have ever been of that mind, sir.
Sir J. Bev. You knave, you know it; I took thee for thy gravity and sobriety, in my wild years.
Humph. Ah, sir! our manners were formed from our different fortunes, not our different age. Wealth gave a loose to your youth, and poverty put a restraint upon mine.
Sir J. Bev. Well, Humphry, you know I have been a kind master to you; I have used you, for the ingenuous nature I observed in you from the beginning, more like an humble friend than a servant.
Humph. I humbly beg you'll be so tender of me as to explain your commands, sir, without any farther preparation.
Sir J. Bev. I'll tell thee, then: In the first place, this wedding of my son's in all probability—shut the door—will never be at all.
Humph. How, sir! not be at all? for what reason is it carried on in appearance?