* * * * *

Of inviting to a Feast.

Dine with me to Morrow.

Pe. I give you Thanks, I commend you, I invite you to Supper against to Morrow, I entreat your Company at Supper to Morrow.  I desire you’d come to Dinner with me to Morrow.  I would have your Company at Dinner to Morrow.

I fear I can’t come.

Ch. I fear I can’t.  I am afraid I can’t.  I will come if I can; but I am afraid I can’t.

Why?

Pe. Why can’t you?  How so?  Why so?  Wherefore?  For what Reason?  For what Cause?  What hinders you that you can’t.

I must stay at Home.

Ch. Indeed I must be at Home at that Time.  I must needs be at Home at Night.  I must not be abroad at that Time.  I shall not have an Opportunity to go out any where to Morrow.  I must not be absent at Dinner.  I expect some Guests myself upon that Day.  Some Friends have made an Appointment to sup at our House that Night.  I have some Guests to entertain that Night, or else I would come with all my Heart.  Unless it were so, I would not be unwilling to come.  If it were not so, I should not want much entreating.  I would make no Excuse if I could come.  If I could come, I would not be ask’d twice.  If I could by any Means come, I would come with a very little, or without any Invitation at all.  If I could, I would obey your Command very readily.  It is in vain to ask one that is not at his own Disposal:  And there would be no need to ask me if I could come:  But at present, though I had never so much Mind, I can’t; and it would be altogether unnecessary to ask one that is willing.

Pe. Then pray let me have your Company the next Day after:  However, I must needs have your Company at Supper the next Day after to Morrow.  You must not deny me your Company four Days hence.  You must make no Excuse as to coming next Thursday.

I can’t promise.

Ch. I can’t promise.  I cannot positively promise you.  I can’t certainly promise you.  I will come when it shall be most convenient for us both.

You ought to set the Day.

Pe. I would have you appoint a Day when you will come to sup with me.  You must assign a Day.  You must set the Day.  I desire a certain Day may be prefix’d, prescrib’d, appointed, set; but set a certain Day.  I would have you tell me the Day.

I would not have you know before Hand.

Ch. Indeed I don’t use to set a Day for my Friends.  I am used to set a Day for those I’m at Law with.  I would not have you know before Hand.  I’ll take you at unawares.  I’ll come unexpectedly.  I will catch you when you don’t think on me.  I shall take you when you don’t think on me.  I’ll come unlooked for.  I’ll come upon you before you are aware.  I’ll come an uninvited and unexpected Guest.

I would know before Hand.