Mr. Crusty. Ah! well. It may be true of a woman; but, I fear, if the outcry of all the Mr. and Mrs. Grundys of our town should not move you, they would move me.
Mrs. Lovely. O Mr. Crusty, do n't say so.
Mr. Crusty. Yes, but I do say so; and upon my soul, I believe they will be in the right, and I, for the first time in my life, will be all in the wrong. They will tell me what a fool I am, on the shady side of forty-five, to marry a young widow, who will be made miserable for life by her folly and mine ; and upon my soul, I think they will have the right of it.
Mrs. Lovely. Oh! no! I do n't care a pin what people may say; they always will talk, and let them. I will marry you.
Mr. Crusty. Now or never, then, my sweet lady; at once. If I am to do a foolish act, let it be done now. If it be an act of folly, we shall find it out, all in good time, and save our friends the trouble of doing so in advance.
Mrs. Lovely. Yes, it will be best; for though they never could change my mind, they might make us feel, for a time, unhappy.
Mr. Crusty. We won't give 'em a chance.
Dick and Sophy are heard in the entry. They enter.
Mr. Crusty. I hope you have enjoyed your ride, and now, Mister Dick, I want the use of the sleigh for myself. Sophy, bring me my hat and cloak.
Sophy. Are you mad, Mr. Crusty, to be going out; and, pray, what for?
Mr. Crusty. Mrs. Lovely and myself are going down, with you and Dick, to Doctor Butler's, to see you safely married.
Sophy. Bless me, Sir ! I am not ready to be married, nor Dick either.
Mr. Crusty. Well, if you are not, Mrs. Lovely and I are; so bring me my hat and cloak, and you and Dick may follow our example, if you choose.
Sophy. Is it so, Mrs. Lovely?
Mrs. Lovely. Yes, it is all true.
Sophy, [to Dick, aside.] I fear master is mad as a March hare.
