Love for Love: Scene IX.
Scene IX.
MRS FORESIGHT and MRS FRAIL.
MRS FRAIL
What have you to do to watch me? 'S'life I'll do what I
please.
MRS FORESIGHT
You will?
MRS FRAIL
Yes, marry will I. A great piece of business to go to
Covent Garden Square in a hackney coach, and take a turn with one's
friend.
MRS FORESIGHT
Nay, two or three turns, I'll take my oath.
MRS FRAIL
Well, what if I took twenty--I warrant if you had been
there, it had been only innocent recreation. Lord, where's the
comfort of this life if we can't have the happiness of conversing
where we like?
MRS FORESIGHT
But can't you converse at home? I own it, I think
there's no happiness like conversing with an agreeable man; I don't
quarrel at that, nor I don't think but your conversation was very
innocent; but the place is public, and to be seen with a man in a
hackney coach is scandalous. What if anybody else should have seen
you alight, as I did? How can anybody be happy while they're in
perpetual fear of being seen and censured? Besides, it would not
only reflect upon you, sister, but me.
MRS FRAIL
Pooh, here's a clutter: why should it reflect upon you?
I don't doubt but you have thought yourself happy in a hackney coach
before now. If I had gone to Knight's Bridge, or to Chelsea, or to
Spring Garden, or Barn Elms with a man alone, something might have
been said.
MRS FORESIGHT
Why, was I ever in any of those places? What do you
mean, sister?
MRS FRAIL
Was I? What do you mean?
MRS FORESIGHT
You have been at a worse place.
MRS FRAIL
I at a worse place, and with a man!
MRS FORESIGHT
I suppose you would not go alone to the World's End.
MRS FRAIL
The World's End! What, do you mean to banter me?
MRS FORESIGHT
Poor innocent! You don't know that there's a place
called the World's End? I'll swear you can keep your countenance
purely: you'd make an admirable player.
MRS FRAIL
I'll swear you have a great deal of confidence, and in
my mind too much for the stage.
MRS FORESIGHT
Very well, that will appear who has most; you never were
at the World's End?
MRS FRAIL
No.
MRS FORESIGHT
You deny it positively to my face?
MRS FRAIL
Your face, what's your face?
MRS FORESIGHT
No matter for that, it's as good a face as yours.
MRS FRAIL
Not by a dozen years' wearing. But I do deny it
positively to your face, then.
MRS FORESIGHT
I'll allow you now to find fault with my face; for I'll
swear your impudence has put me out of countenance. But look you
here now, where did you lose this gold bodkin? Oh, sister, sister!
MRS FRAIL
My bodkin!
MRS FORESIGHT
Nay, 'tis yours, look at it.
MRS FRAIL
Well, if you go to that, where did you find this bodkin?
Oh, sister, sister! Sister every way.
MRS FORESIGHT
Oh, devil on't, that I could not discover her without
betraying myself. [Aside.]
MRS FRAIL
I have heard gentlemen say, sister, that one should take
great care, when one makes a thrust in fencing, not to lie open
oneself.
MRS FORESIGHT
It's very true, sister. Well, since all's out, and as
you say, since we are both wounded, let us do what is often done in
duels, take care of one another, and grow better friends than
before.
MRS FRAIL
With all my heart: ours are but slight flesh wounds,
and if we keep 'em from air, not at all dangerous. Well, give me
your hand in token of sisterly secrecy and affection.
MRS FORESIGHT
Here 'tis, with all my heart.
MRS FRAIL
Well, as an earnest of friendship and confidence, I'll
acquaint you with a design that I have. To tell truth, and speak
openly one to another, I'm afraid the world have observed us more
than we have observed one another. You have a rich husband, and are
provided for. I am at a loss, and have no great stock either of
fortune or reputation, and therefore must look sharply about me.
Sir Sampson has a son that is expected to-night, and by the account
I have heard of his education, can be no conjurer. The estate you
know is to be made over to him. Now if I could wheedle him, sister,
ha? You understand me?
MRS FORESIGHT
I do, and will help you to the utmost of my power. And I
can tell you one thing that falls out luckily enough; my awkward
daughter-in-law, who you know is designed to be his wife, is grown
fond of Mr Tattle; now if we can improve that, and make her have an
aversion for the booby, it may go a great way towards his liking
you. Here they come together; and let us contrive some way or other
to leave 'em together.