WIFE. Oh, dear me! Had you not paid the rent yesterday, husband--

COTTAGER. I then, should know what to do. But as I hope for mercy, I
have not a penny in my house.

FREDERICK. Then I must--[Apart, coming forward]--Yes, I will go, and
beg.--But should I be refused--I will then--I leave my mother in your
care, good people--Do all you can for her, I beseech you! I shall soon
be with you again. [Goes off in haste and confusion.]

COTTAGER. If he should go to our parson, I am sure he would give him
something.

[Agatha having revived by
degrees during the scene, rises.]

AGATHA. Is that good old man still living, who was minister here some
time ago?

WIFE. No--It pleased Providence to take that worthy man to heaven two
years ago.--We have lost in him both a friend and a father. We shall
never get such another.

COTTAGER. Wife, wife, our present rector is likewise a very good man.

WIFE. Yes! But he is so very young.

COTTAGER. Our late parson was once young too.

WIFE [to Agatha.] This young man being tutor in our Baron's family, he