Now, Peachum, you and I, like honest Tradesmen are to have a fair Trial
which of us can overreach the other.----Lucy.----[Enter Lucy.] Are there any
of Peachum's People now in the House?
LUCY. Filch, Sir, is drinking a Quartern of Strong-Waters in the next
Room with Black Moll.
LOCKIT. Bid him come to me.
Scene 3.
LOCKIT, FILCH.
LOCKIT. Why, Boy, thou lookest as if thou wert half starv'd, like a shotten
Herring.
FILCH. One had need have the Constitution of a Horse to go through with
the Business.----Since the favourite Child-getter was disabled by a Mishap,
I have pick'd up a little Money by helping the Ladies to a Pregnancy
against their being call'd down to Sentence.----But if a Man cannot get an
honest Livelihood any easier way, I am sure, 'tis what I can't undertake
for another Session.
LOCKIT. Truly, if that great Man should tip off, 'twould be an
irreparable Loss. The vigor and Prowess of a Knight-Errant never sav'd half
the Ladies in Distress that he hath done.----But, Boy, canst thou tell me
where thy Master is to be found?
FILCH. At his Lock, Sir, at the Crooked Billet.
LOCKIT. Very well.--I have nothing more with you. [Exit Filch.] I'll go to
him there, for I have many important Affairs to settle with him; and in the
way of these Transactions, I'll artfully get into his Secret----So that
Macheath shall not remain a Day longer out of my Clutches.
Scene 4, A Gaming-House.
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