Page:A Treatise concerning the Use and Abuse of the Marriage Bed.djvu/261

 Jack. O, they'll do well enough till they grow up.

Tom. But, where's the Father, now? Jack. What's come of the Father you talked of?

Jack. Why, what's the Matter?

Tom. Why, take home a Mother-in-law, disperse your Family, and turn your Children out of Doors, as they grow up; and all this for a new Wife. Is this like a Father? Jack.

Jack. No, no; I won't turn them out of Doors for her, neither.

Tom. That's a Jest, you know better; you must turn them out of Doors, or they'll turn her out of Doors, that you may depend upon; and the last would be hard too.

Jack. But what Necessity is there for either of them?

Tom. The best Answer to that, Jack, is; what Necessity can you have to marry at all?

Jack. I don't know, I have no Necessity indeed; but I am alone, without a Wife: I want One to guide my House, and govern the Family.

Tom. How can that be? when you have two young Ladies, Women grown, that are perfectly fit for it, and shew you, that they very well understand it.

Jack. That's very true; but they won't be always with me, they'll marry. One of them is bespoke already.

Tom. Well, 'tis time enough then: And, besides, perhaps, before they are both gone, your two youngest may be grown up.

Jack. That's true. But 'tis not like the government of a Wife in a Family, there's no Authority.