REBECCA. It may seem so to you, sir, but it hasn't to me, I promise you. I'm sure I wish she had stayed away ten times as long--for the first thing she has done on her return has been to give me warning.
REBECCA. Ah! what for, indeed?--you must ask her that. She is jealous of that husband of hers. She surprised him, just now, at breakfast, making eyes at me. How could I help it?
FAST. Oh, fie, Rebecca? What! do you encourage your master in that sort of thing?
REBECCA. I encourage him, indeed?--well I'm sure!--with a twelvemonth's character from my last place.
FAST. I beg your pardon--well I am sorry you are going to leave--you are such a nice obliging young woman, and I was going to ask you if you couldn't manage to--to give this letter.
FAST. No, not exactly that, Rebecca, to your mistress.
REBECCA. Indeed, sir! I shall do nothing of the sort, you had better give it her yourself.
FAST. But I should never have the face, I tell you. There is something about Mrs. Bobbins that keeps me so completely at a distance, something so modest, so correct and proper--come, now, you are not going to be illnatured, see here's a queen's head for it. (_showing her half a crown_)
REBECCA. Sir, I'm ashamed of you, I'll have nothing to do with it!
FAST. Only give her the letter, and I'll help you to a place.
REBECCA. No, will you though? (_eyeing the money which he forces on her, with the letter_) No! really I can't! no, no! Well if you insist upon my taking the money--(_aside--taking the money_) But I'll be hanged if I give her the letter.
FAST. Yes, I know of a place that will suit you exactly, without your going out of the house. Mrs. Duval on the second floor here is in want of just such a pretty, clever girl as you are, to help her in her fancy work.
REBECCA. Why how did you come to know her, sir?
FAST. How did I come to know her? why, my sisters buy their wools of her, she embroiders my shirt fronts, marks my pocket handkerchiefs for me--you can't be in better hands; she is a most respectable person, and a first rate temper.
MRS. BOBBINS. (_without R._) No, Augustus! no, Mr. Bobbins, I say she shall not remain.
MRS. BOBBINS. Silence, sir, I won't hear a word.
FAST. Why there's your mistress at high words with Mr. Bobbins.