_Aldo._ I must first tell you something of my condition. I am here a
friend to all of them; I am their _factotum_, do all their business;
for, not to boast, sir, I am a man of general acquaintance: There is
no news in town, either foreign or domestic, but I have it first; no
mortgage of lands, no sale of houses, but I have a finger in them.

_Wood._ Then, I suppose, you are a gainer by your pains.

_Aldo._ No, I do all _gratis_, and am most commonly a loser; only a
buck sometimes from this good lord, or that good lady in the country:
and I eat it not alone, I must have company.

_Wood._ Pray, what company do you invite?

_Aldo._ Peace, peace, I am coming to you: Why, you must know I am
tender-natured; and if any unhappy difference have arisen betwixt a
mistress and her gallant, then I strike in, to do good offices betwixt
them; and, at my own proper charges, conclude the quarrel with a
reconciling supper.

_Wood._ I find the ladies of pleasure are beholden to you.

_Aldo._ Before George, I love the poor little devils. I am indeed a
father to them, and so they call me: I give them my counsel, and
assist them with my purse. I cannot see a pretty sinner hurried to
prison by the land-pirates, but nature works, and I must bail her; or
want a supper, but I have a couple of crammed chickens, a cream tart,
and a bottle of wine to offer her.