The Love-chase Part 16

_Wild_. Well, as I said, my suit's a thriving one.

_Con_. You mean you are beloved again!--I don't Believe it.

_Wild_. I can give you proof.

_Con_. What proof?

Love letters? She's a shameless maid To write them! Can she spell? Ay, I suppose With prompting of a dictionary!

_Wild_. Nay Without one.

_Con_. I will lay you ten to one She cannot spell! How know you she can spell?

You cannot spell yourself! You write command With a single M-C-O-M-A-N-D: Yours to Co-mand.

_Wild_. I did not say she wrote Love letters to me.

_Con_. Then she suffers you to press Her hand, perhaps?

_Wild_. She does.

_Con_. Does she press yours?

_Wild_. She does.--It goes on swimmingly! [Aside.]

_Con_. She does!

She is no modest woman! I'll be bound, Your arm the madam suffers round her waist?

_Wild_. She does!

_Con_. She does! Outrageous forwardness!

Does she let you kiss her?

_Wild_. Yes.

_Con_. She should be--

_Wild_. What?

_Con_. What you got thrice your share of when at school, And yet not half your due! A brazen face!

More could not grant a maid about to wed.

_Wild_. She is so.

_Con_. What?

_Wild_. How swimmingly it goes! [Aside.]

_Con_. [With suppressed impatience.] Are you about to marry, neighbour Wildrake?

Are you about to marry?

_Wild_. Excellent. [Aside.]

_Con_. [Breaking out.] Why don't you answer me?

_Wild_. I am.

_Con_. You are-- I tell you what, sir--You're a fool!

_Wild_. For what?

_Con_. You are not fit to marry. Do not know Enough of the world, sir! Have no more experience, Thought, judgment, than a schoolboy! Have no mind Of your own!--your wife will make a fool of you, Will jilt you, break your heart! I wish she may I do! You have no more business with a wife; Than I have! Do you mean to say, indeed, You are about to marry?

_Wild_. Yes, indeed.

_Con_. And when?

_Wild_. I'll say to-morrow! [Aside.]

_Con_. When, I say?

_Wild_. To-morrow.

_Con_. Thank you: much beholden to you!

You've told me on't in time! I'm very much Beholden to you, neighbour Wildrake!

And, I pray you, at what hour?

_Wild_. That we have left For you to name.

_Con_. For me!

_Wild_. For you.

_Con_. Indeed.

You're very bountiful! I should not wonder Meant you I should be bridemaid to the lady?

_Wild_. 'Tis just the thing I mean!

_Con_. [Furiously.] The thing you mean!

Now pray you, neighbour, tell me that again, And think before you speak; for much I doubt You know what you are saying. Do you mean To ask me to be bridemaid?

_Wild_. Even so.

_Con_. Bridemaid?

_Wild_. Ay, bridemaid!--It is coming fast Unto a head. [Aside.]

_Con_. And 'tis for me you wait To fix the day? It shall be doomsday, then!

_Wild_. Be doomsday?