This amusing play by Oliver Goldsmith has a second title: “The Mistakes Of A Night”. Most of the humor in the play is the result of someones mistake, and usually the mistake has been deliberately brought about by the mischievous Tony Lumpkin. The passage below is an example of this. Mr Hastings and Mr Marlow are travelling to the house of Mr Hardcastle, Tony Lumpkin’s stepfather, where they have been invited to stay as his guests. They lose their way and meet Tony, who does not tell them who he is. As a joke, he pretends that they cannot reach Mr Hardcastle’s house that night and suggests that instead they should spend the night at an inn. He sends them to Mr Hardcastle’s house, telling them that this is an inn. When they arrive, Mr Hardcastle welcomes them as his guests but they think that he is the innkeeper and cannot understand why he behaves like a friend rather than a servant.

Note: (Aside) means that the words following are meant to be heard by the audience but not by the other characters on the stage.

Mr Hardcastle Welcomes His Guests

Hardcastle: Gentlemen, once more you are warmly welcome. Which is Marlow? Sir, you are indeed welcome. I do not, as you see, receive my friends with my back to the fire. I like to welcome them at my gate. I like to see that their horses are taken care of.

Marlow (Aside): He has got our names from the servants already. (To him) We are pleased with your hospitality, sir. (To HJastings) I have been thinking, George, of changing our travelling clothes in the morning. I have become quite ashamed of mine.

Hardcastle: I beg you, Mr Marlow, not to use any ceremony in this house.

Hastings: I think, Charles, you are right. I shall wear the white and gold suit tomorrow.

Hardcastle: Mr Marlow — Mr Hastings — gentlemen, please feel quite free to do what you wish in my house.

Marlow: Yet, George, I think that we should not put on our best things right at the beginning.

Hardcastle: Your conversation, Mr Marlow, reminds me of the time –

Marlow: Don’t you think the yellow waistcoat will do with the plain brown suit?

Hardcastle: — reminds me of the time I was at the wars with the Duke of Malborough and –

Hastings: I think not: brown and yellow don’t mix well.