may not hear. Neither is it my purpose to talk, but to listen, if Mr
Belfield is at leisure to favour me with his advice."

"I must always be at leisure, and always be proud, madam," Belfield
began, when Hobson, interrupting him, said, "I ask pardon, Sir, for
intruding, but I only mean to wish the young lady good night. As to
interfering with business, that's not my way, for it's not the right
method, by reason--"

"We will listen to your reason, Sir," cried Belfield, "some other time;
at present we will give you all credit for it unheard."

"Let every man speak his own maxim, Sir," cried Hobson; "for that's
what I call fair arguing: but as to one person's speaking, and then
making an answer for another into the bargain, why it's going to work
no-how; you may as well talk to a counter, and think because you make a
noise upon it with your own hand, it gives you the reply."

"Why, Mr Hobson," cried Mrs Belfield, "I am quite ashamed of you for
being so dull! don't you see my son has something to say to the lady
that you and I have no business to be meddling with?"

"I'm sure, ma'am, for my part," said Mr Simkins, "I'm very agreeable to
going away, for as to putting the young lady to the blush, it's what I
would not do in no shape."

"I only mean," said Mr Hobson, when he was interrupted by Mrs Belfield,
who, out of all patience, now turned him out of the room by the
shoulders, and, pulling Mr Simkins after, followed herself, and shut
the door, though Cecilia, much provoked, desired she would stay, and