_Enter Captain Etheridge and Mertoun, from the gates of the Lodge._
_Capt. Eth._ (_holding out his hand_). Hail! Peter, my good fellow! how are you all at home?
_Peter._ (_turning away, and folding his arms_). Pretty well, Captain.
_Capt. Mer._ (_aside_). I say, Etheridge, that's a dead cut; who is your friend?
_Capt. Eth._ (_astonished_). What's the matter now? I think, Mr Peter, when I offer my hand, it is not very courteous in you to refuse it.
_Peter._ (_ostentatiously_). Property, Captain, is property. You'll allow that. My hand is my own, and I have it in possession. You'll allow that. But there is other property, which at present is not in my possession, but which you will allow to be hereafter. (_Aside._) That's a hard hit.
_Capt. Mer._ Property is property, Etheridge, and to judge by his manners, your friend must have an excess of it in possession.
_Capt. Eth._ Property is property, but I doubt if my friend has much of it in possession.
_Capt. Eth._ Well, I hope so too. But what's the matter with you, Peter?
_Capt. Mer._ Upon my word, Etheridge I wonder at your patience. Who is the brute?
_Peter._ Then, sir, if you say brute, I beg to observe to you, sir, that--that----
_Peter._ That, sir, a brute is a beast, sir----
_Peter._ And if that's what you meant, there's no offence. Now, if you say brute beast----
_Peter._ You do--you do say so? Well, then, sir, allow me to tell you, in very positive terms, sir, that you have been guilty of--of tautology.
_Capt. Mer._ Your friend is very harmless, Etheridge.
_Capt. Eth._ I am aware of that; but still I was not prepared for this impertinence, considering the obligations he is under to my family.
_Peter._ Obligations, sir, what obligations? Do you refer to the advantages that you had in being educated with me?
_Capt. Eth._ I have ever considered the reverse; and that it was you who had the advantages, had you had sense enough to profit by them.
_Peter._ Now, observe, there's your mistake.
_Capt. Eth. to Capt. Mer._ The fool is mad.
_Capt. Eth._ Captain what's-your-name, Peter, don't stand insult.
_Peter._ There is no insult. I repeat again, Captain what's-your-name. Do you know your name?
_Capt. Eth. to Capt. Mer._ Why, he's as mad as a March hare.