(Martin drops asleep.)

PETER
Times are greatly altered, since young master took upon himself the
government of this household.

ALL
Greatly altered.

FRANCIS
I think every thing be altered for the better since His Majesty’s
blessed restoration.

PETER
In Sir Walter’s days there was no encouragement given to good
house-keeping.

ALL
None.

DANIEL

For instance, no possibility of getting drunk before two in the afternoon.

PETER

Every man his allowance of ale at breakfast—­his quart!

ALL
A quart!! (in derision.)

DANIEL
Nothing left to our own sweet discretions.

PETER
Whereby it may appear, we were treated more like beasts than what we
were—­discreet and reasonable serving-men.

ALL
Like beasts.

MARTIN
(Opening his eyes.) Like beasts.

DANIEL
To sleep, wag-tail!

FRANCIS I marvel all this while where the old gentleman has found means to secrete himself.  It seems no man has heard of him since the day of the King’s return.  Can any tell why our young master, being favoured by the court, should not have interest to procure his father’s pardon?

DANIEL
Marry, I think ’tis the obstinacy of the old Knight, that will not be
beholden to the court for his safety.

MARTIN
Now that is wilful.

FRANCIS
But can any tell me the place of his concealment?

PETER
That cannot I; but I have my conjectures.

DANIEL
Two hundred pounds, as I hear, to the man that shall apprehend him.

FRANCIS
Well, I have my suspicions.

PETER
And so have I.

MARTIN
And I can keep a secret.

FRANCIS
(To Peter.) Warwickshire you mean. (Aside.)

PETER
Perhaps not.

FRANCIS
Nearer perhaps.

PETER
I say nothing.

DANIEL
I hope there is none in this company would be mean enough to betray him.

ALL
O Lord, surely not. (They drink to Sir Walter’s safety.)

FRANCIS
I have often wondered how our master came to be excepted by name in the
late Act of Oblivion.

DANIEL
Shall I tell the reason?

ALL
Aye, do.

DANIEL
’Tis thought he is no great friend to the present happy establishment.

ALL
O! monstrous!

PETER Fellow servants, a thought strikes me.—­Do we, or do we not, come under the penalties of the treason-act, by reason of our being privy to this man’s concealment.

ALL
Truly a sad consideration.

To them enters Sandford suddenly.