Chapter 15

_Enter YOUNG LOVEYET, HUMPHRY, and a NEGRO with a trunk on his head._

LOVEYET. Did you hear him say so?

HUMPHRY. Yes; he said how he was intend you should have Miss Mary Airy, or Airy Mary, or some such a name.

LOVEYET. Say you so, father?--I believe I shall do myself the pleasure to baulk you. I want you to go a little way with my man; but you will be sure to make no mistake.

HUMPHRY. No, no, never fear me; I an't so apt for to make blunders as you.

LOVEYET. [_Looking at his watch._] 'Sdeath! I should have been with her half an hour ago.--I know I can depend on you. Here, Cuffy, go with this gentleman.

HUMPHRY. Why, if I _am_ a gentleman, Mr. Cuffy needn't give himself the trouble;--I can carry it myself.

CUFFY. Tankee, massa buckaraw; you gi me lilly lif, me bery glad;--disa ting damma heby. [_Puts down the trunk._]--An de debelis crooka tone in a treet more worsa naw pricka pear for poor son a bitch foot; an de cole pinch um so too!--

LOVEYET. No, no, you shall carry it;--your head is harder than his.

HUMPHRY. To be sure, my head _is_ a little soft.

LOVEYET. You must let him take it to number two hundred and twenty-one, Broadway;--will you remember the direction?

HUMPHRY. Yes, number two hundred and twenty-one, Broadway.

LOVEYET. Right;--and enquire for Mr. Frankton, and tell him who it is from.

HUMPHRY. Aye, aye, let me alone for that.

[_Exit, with NEGRO._

LOVEYET [_manet_].

I think I am even with the old gentleman now;--but I lament the necessity of this conduct; and, if a man could eat and digest matrimony, without a little matter of money, I would forgive my unreasonable father, with all my heart; and he might eat his gold himself; though, by the bye, this sum of money, in equity and good conscience, is mine.--Now he wants to cross my inclination, by making me the rival of my friend;--what a strange whim! But if I don't trick him out of his project and his money too, it shall not be my fault.

[_Exit._