Rob. Never talk to me of dumplings.

Mar. But I'll talk of dumplings, though, indeed; I shouldn't have thought of such behavior: dumplings are very wholesome food-quite good enough for you, I'm sure. [Very angry.]

Rob. Are they, mother Margery? [Upsets the table, dances on the plates, and sings.] Tol de rol lol.

Mar. Oh dear! the boy's mad; there's all my crockery gune! [Picking up the pieces.]

Dol. [Crying] I did not think you could have used us so; I'm quite ashamed of you, Robin !

Dol.

ill.

Rob. Now doantye cry now, Dolly; doantye cry. I will cry, for you behave very Rob. Now doantye, Dolly, doantye, now. [Shows a purse.]

Dol. How did you come by that?

Mar. What, a purse of gold! let me see. and sits down to count the money.]

Dol. What have you been about, Robin ?
Rob.

[Snatches it

No, I have not been about robbin; I have been about being made a lord on, that's all.

Dol. What are you talking about? Your head's turned, I'm sure.

Rob. Well, I know it's turned; it's turned from a clown's head to a lord's. I say, Dolly, how should you like to live in that nice place at the top of the hill yonder?

Dol. Oh I should like it very much, Robin; it is a nice cottage.

Rob. Don't talk to me of cottages-I mean the castle? Dol. Why, what is your head running_upon?

Mar. Every one golden guineas, as I am a vartuous Where did you get 'em, Robin ?

woman!

Rob. Why, where there's more to be had.

Mar. Ay, I always said Robin was a clever lad. I'll go and put these by. [Crosses and exit.]

Dol. Now do tell me what you have been about. Where did you find all that money?

Rob. Dolly, Dolly, gee' us a buss, and I'll tell thee all about it.

Dol. Twenty, an' you pleasen. Robin. [Kissing.]

Rob. First, then, you must know, that I am the cleverest fellow in all these parts.

Dol. Well, I know'd that afore.

Rob. But I'll tell you how it is-it's because I am the

richest fellow in all these parts; and, if I haven't it here, I have it here. [Pointing to his head and his pockets.] That castle's mine and all these fields, up to the very sky. Dol. No, no; come. Robin, that won't do.

Rob.
Dol.

Won't it? I think it will do very well.
What! are you in right down arnest?

Rob. Yes, I am; his lordship's dead, and he has left word as how my mother was his wife, and I his son.

Dol. What?

Rob. Yes, Dolly, and you shall be my lady.

Dol. No! Shall I ?

Rob. Yes, you shall.

Dol.

Oh. that will be fine fun-my lady

Rob. Now what do you think on't?

Dol. My lady-Lady Roughhead

Rob. Why, Dolly!

Dol. Lady Roughhead! How it sounds! Ha, ha, ha! [Laughs immoderately and sinks into a chair.]

Rob. Zooks! I believe she's going into a high strike.Dolly! Dolly! [Slapping her hands.]

But come, what

Dol. Ha, ha, ha! But now, is it true in arnest? Rob. Ay, as sure as you are there. shall we do? Where shall we go? Oh, we'll go and see old mother Dickens; you know she took my part. and was very kind to me when poor mother died; and now she's very ill, and I'll go and give her something to comfort her old soul. I have heard people say as riches won't make a body happy but while it gives me the power of doing so much good, I'm sure I shall be the happiest og alive.

[Exeunt.]

XXXVIII.-COUSIN PETER.-Souvestre.

COUSIN PETER-MANON-LOUIS-MRS. LECLERC.

Scene 1.-Manon, a servant, knocking at the door.

Manon. Eh! Mr. Peter! Mr. Peter! Are you there? Answer if you are not there.

Peter. [Entering another door.] What is it, my good

Manon?

M. Oh, you were in the garden! I said so that a sailor would get up very early in the morning.

P. I was up before it was light.

M. There now! because you have come from a warm climate, where it is light before sunrise, you are deceived about the time here.

P. [Smiling.] Not that exactly, Manon; but I have not been able to close my eyes the whole night.

M. Oh, sir, the bed must have been badly made! Perhaps you sleep on feathers?

P. No, it was—

M. You had not enough covering?

P. I had too much to think of. Remember that it was only last evening that I came ashore.

M. And very late, too-for we waited six hours for you. So it was not my fault if the macaroni was cooked too much.

P. [Smiling.] It was excellent, my good woman. Everything is excellent when one comes back to France, after having spent ten years in India.

M. India! That must be a wonderful country, if what our neighbor's porter says is true.

P.

Has he been there?

M. No, but he has read a book of travels, in which it says that elephants are used for carriage-horses there; and that they fish for whales, as they do for gudgeons, to say nothing of serpents that whistle. Then the musquitoes, the camels, and I do not know how many other kinds of vermin that torment their lives! You ought to have seen how anxious Mrs. Leclerc was about you when she did not get your letters.

P. Excellent cousin! She loves me very much! We were brought up together, like brother and sister.

M. She was always afraid of lions, and pirates, and sharks. It was in vain for me to say, "There is no danger, Mr. Peter has too much caution." She was not

easy till she saw you.

P. And this Louis whom I see here, is he the son of her sister who is dead?

M. Yes, sir. He has come from his boarding-school to pass his vacation with his aunt. She was anticipating so much pleasure in having him here; but since he came-[Interrupts herself, shaking her head.]

P. Well? What then?

M. Oh, you know well enough how it is! At that age a boy has such ideas! And he does such strange things! Puts on so many airs! It is always so with young boys. You understand?

P. [Smiling.] Not very clearly, my good woman.

M. It is very plain, however. He wants-[Looking at the clock.] Goodness me! Nine o'clock already! And my cutlets not yet on the gridiron! Excuse me, Mr. Peter. I certainly am not tired of your company. But as King Dagobert said to his dogs, there is no company so good that you do not have to leave it. There now! This parrot, Jacko! I forgot to put him in the sun in the garden. Have you had your breakfast, Jacko? Come, Jacko, my pretty Jacko. [She goes out, carrying the parrot.]

P. This good Manon has no more connection in her ideas than formerly. She confounds Cousin Louis, cutlets, parrots and King Dagobert! She never finishes what she begins. However, I can guess what she meant about the little boy. He seemed to me, at the first glance, to belong to that class of self-willed and uncontrolled boys who only see their duty in what pleases them, and who rebel against all who advise or reprove them. If I am right, I will give him a lesson. I have a plan already. [Looking out of the window.] Here he is, this minute! [He slips behind the door.] Here I can see and hear him without his seeing me.

Scene 2.-LOUIS-MANON.-Louis enters with his tunic torn, and without buttons, his belt wrong side out, his hat without a crown, and his black silk cravat in his hand, in which he is carrying something.

Louis. No one saw me! After all, it is not my fault. I was throwing stones at the nut-trees, and they all fell

on the sashes of my aunt's conservatory! Everything is smashed to pieces! What a pity! What does she want glass in a garden for, I wonder? [Takes nuts from his cravat, and eats them.]

Manon. [Coming in.] Ah! Mr. Louis, I have caught you at it! Eating again between meals! And you are cracking nuts, again, too!

L. Do you want me to eat the shells?

M. But you are cracking them with your teeth, naughty boy!

L. I should like to know if teeth are not given us to be used?

M. No, sir. At your age they are given to be cared for and preserved! But what is this? [Looks in the cravat.] Oh, my goodness! You have knocked down almonds and pears! You have been making havoc in your aunt's orchard!

L. Quite the contrary-it has made havoc of me! Look here. [Shows his hat.]

M. Good heavens! What a plight! Holes and rents everywhere! Your hat has no bottom!

L. [Eating all the time.] Nor my pantaloons either, as to that!

M. Unlucky boy! you will never be any better! Eating green fruit! No cravat! Disobeying your aunt! Without taking off the peel! Ruining your health! Belt wrong-side out! No sense, no suspenders! Remember what I say, Mr. Louis, you will come to some bad end!

L. Manon, you are as eloquent as Cicero, but your language is not very agreeable. You would please me better if you would keep your Catiline-ics* for geese and turkeys.

M Catilineics! Take care, sir! I will not take any insolence from you. I have never made any Catilineics, I tell you.

L. You seem to know what they are, at any rate.

M. Of course I do. It is some bad pie they give you to eat at school. But I have served my time—I am a cordon-bleu, sir!

L. Do tell! That means, grand cordon of the legion of scullions!

M. [Very angry.] I declare, Mr. Louis, I will complain of you to your aunt.

* Cicero's orations against Cataline.