Dav. Yes, and if my master had not, as a body may say, put his life in his hand to save him.
Sim. Very true, David, I say nothing against all that: I honour your master for it; thof I must say he has but an ungracious look with him. There is not another gentleman in the neighbourhood, thof I say it myself, that does not stop and say, "How do ye do, Old Simeon?" when he passes me.
Dav. I don't know; I'm sure he used not to be ungracious. All the old folks of the parish used to thrust themselves in his way, as if it had been good for the ague, or an aching in the bones, to say "God bless your honour,"
Sim. That must have been before we came amongst you, then. Ha! here comes his Honour,
(Enter Freeman, dressed in a night-gown, with Truebridge and Charles Baltimore. Mrs. Baltimore, at the same time, enters by another door.)
Sim. (going eagerly to his master, and kissing his hand, which Freeman holds out to him.) God bless and preserve your worthy Honour!
Free. I thank you, Simeon: a good God has preserved me. You have not been much alarmed, I hope?
Sim. No, Sir; I heard of your safety before I heard of your danger; but some how or other it came across my heart, for all that; and I could not but think—I could not—(pauses and draws the back of his hand across his eyes.) But the blessings of the aged and helpless have borne you up: the water could have no commission to hurt you.
