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Curate.—Your commands are laid to heart.

Rector.—And if any parishioner should call, please to Jet me know.

Curate.—Your injunctions shall be kept in mind. Ha! ha! this is delightfull To think of the joy of his ceding the benefice to me to-day, just as I was saying to myself, "When will the rector resign in my favour? when will he resign in my favour?" The parishioners, when they hear of it, are sure to be charmed; so I mean to manage in such a way as to give them all satisfaction.

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First Parishioner.—I am a resident in this neighbourhood. I am on my way to a certain place on business; but as it has suddenly begun to threaten rain, I think I will look in at the parish temple, and borrow an umbrella. Ah! here I am. Hoy! admittance.

Curate.—Oh! there is some one hallooing at the gate! Who is that asking for admittance? Who is that hallooing?

First Par.—It is I.

Curate.—Oh! you are indeed welcome!

First Par.—It is long since I last had the honour of coming to enquire after you! but I trust that the worthy rector and yourself are still in the enjoyment of good health.

Curate.—Oh yes! we both continue well. But I must tell you that, moved by some impulse or other, my master has deigned to resign the benefice in my favour. So I pray that you will continue as heretofore to honour our temple with your visits.

First Par.—That is an auspicious event; and if I have not been already to offer my congratulations, it is because I was not apprised of it. Well! my present reason for calling is just simply this:—I am off to-day to a certain place; but as it has suddenly begun to threaten rain, I should feel much obliged if you would kindly condescend to lend me an umbrella.

Curate.—Certainly! Nothing easier! I will have the honour to lend it to you. Please wait here an instant.

First Par.—Oh! very many thanks.

Curate.—Here, then! I will have the honour to lend you this one.

First Par.—Oh! I owe you very many thanks.

Curate.—Please always tell me if there is anything of any kind that I can do for you.

First Par.—Certainly! I will call in your assistance. But now I will be off.

Curate.—Are you going?

First Par.—Yes. Good-bye!

Curate.—Good-bye!

First Par.—I am much indebted to you.