MANLY
Forgive me, my sister. I love my country; it has
its foibles undoubtedly;--some foreigners will with
pleasure remark them--but such remarks fall very
ungracefully from the lips of her citizens.
DIMPLE
You are perfectly in the right, Colonel--America
has her faults.
MANLY
Yes, Sir; and we, her children, should blush for
them in private, and endeavour, as individuals, to re-
form them. But, if our country has its errors in com-
mon with other countries, I am proud to say America--
I mean the United States--has displayed virtues and
achievements which modern nations may admire, but
of which they have seldom set us the example.
CHARLOTTE
But, brother, we must introduce you to some of our
gay folks, and let you see the city, such as it is. Mr.
Dimple is known to almost every family in town; he
will doubtless take a pleasure in introducing you.
DIMPLE
I shall esteem every service I can render your
brother an honour.
MANLY
I fear the business I am upon will take up all my
time, and my family will be anxious to hear from me.
MARIA
His family! but what is it to me that he is married!
[Aside.] Pray, how did you leave your lady, Sir?
CHARLOTTE
My brother is not married [observing her anxiety];
it is only an odd way he has of expressing himself.
Pray, brother, is this business, which you make your
continual excuse, a secret?
MANLY
No, sister; I came hither to solicit the honourable
Congress, that a number of my brave old soldiers may
be put upon the pension-list, who were, at first, not
judged to be so materially wounded as to need the
public assistance.
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