Lady  Ply.  \To  Boy.]  How  often  have  you  been  told
of  that,  you  jackanapes !

Sir  Paul.  Gad  so,  gadsbud  ! — Tim,  carry  it  to  my
lady  ;  you  should  have  carried  it  to  my  lady  first.
Boy.  'Tis  directed  to  your  worship.
Sir  Paul.  Well,  well,  my  lady  reads  all  letters  first. —
Child,  do  so  no  more ;  d'ye  hear,  Tim  !

Boy.  No,  an't  please  you.  {Exit  Boy.
Sir  Paul.  [To  CARELESS.]  A  humour  of  my  wife's;
you  know  women  have  little  fancies. — But,  as  I  was  tell-
ing you,  Mr.  Careless,  if  it  were  not  for  one  thing,  I
should  think  myself  the  happiest  man  in  the  world ;  in-
deed that  touches  me  near,  very  near.
Care.  What  can  that  be,  Sir  Paul  ?

Sir  Paul.  Why,  I  have,  I  thank  Heaven,  a  very  plen-
tiful fortune,  a  good  estate  in  the  country,  some  houses
in  town,  and  some  money,  a  pretty  tolerable  personal
estate ;  and  it  is  a  great  grief  to  me,  indeed  it  is,  Mr.
Careless,  that  I  have  not  a  son  to  inherit  this. — 'Tis  true,


SCENE  II.]        THE  DOUBLE-DEALER.  143

I  have  a  daughter,  and  a  fine  dutiful  child  she  is,  though
I  say  it,  blessed  be  Providence  !  I  may  say  ;  for  indeed,
Mr.  Careless,  I  am  mightily  beholden  to  Providence  : — a
poor  unworthy  sinner. — But  if  I  had  a  son, — ah,  that's
my  affliction,  and  my  only  affliction !  indeed  I  cannot
refrain  tears  when  it  comes  into  my  mind.  [Cries.
Care.  Why,  methinks,  that  might  be  easily  remedied  :
— my  lady  is  a  fine,  likely  woman.
