Mrs. C. To be sure they are; tale-bearers are as bad as tale-makers; ’tis an old observation, and a very true one; but what’s to be done, as I said before? how will you prevent people from talking? To-day, Mrs. Clackit assured me Mr. and Mrs. Honeymoon were at last become mere man and wife, like the rest of their acquaintance. She likewise hinted that a certain widow in the next street had got rid of her dropsy, and recovered her shape in a most surprising manner. And at the same time Miss Tattle, who was by, affirmed that Lord Buffalo had discovered his lady at a house of no extraordinary fame; and that Sir Harry Bouquet and Tom Saunter were to measure swords on a similar provocation. But, lord! do you think I would report these things? No, no! tale-bearers, as I said before, are just as bad as tale-makers.
Joseph. Ah! Mrs. Candour, if everybody had your forbearance and good nature!
Mrs. C. I confess, Mr. Surface, I cannot bear to hear people attacked behind their backs; and when ugly circumstances come out against our acquaintance, I own I always love to think the best. (Lady Sneerwell and Maria retire.) By-the-bye, I hope ’tis not true that your brother is absolutely ruined?
Joseph. I am afraid his circumstances are very bad, indeed, ma’am.
Mrs. C. Ah! I heard so. But you must tell him to keep up his spirits; everybody almost is in the same way. Lord Spindle, Sir Thomas Splint, and Mr. Nickit—all up, I hear, within this week; so if Charles be undone, he’ll find half his acquaintance ruined, too; and that, you know, is a consolation.
Joseph. Doubtless, ma’am: a very great one.
Enter Servant.
Serv. Mr. Crabtree and Sir Benjamin Backbite. [Exit.
Lady S. So, Maria, you see your lover pursues you; positively, you shan’t escape.
Enter Crabtree and Sir Benjamin Backbite.