K. [screams.]--Hallo, Bulkeley! [Bulkeley is seen strolling in the
garden.]
Enter BULKELEY.
BULKELEY.--What is it, sir?
K.--Take this confounded villain off me, and pitch him into the
Thames--do you hear?
JOHN.--Come here, and I'll break every bone in your hulking body. [To
BULKELEY.]
BULKELEY.--Come, come! whathever his hall this year row about?
MISS P.--For heaven's sake don't strike that poor man.
BULKELEY.--YOU be quiet. What's he a-hittin' about my master for?
JOHN.--Take off your hat, sir, when you speak to a lady. [Takes up a
poker.] And now come on, both of you, cowards! [Rushes at BULKELEY and
knocks his hat off his head.]
BULKELEY [stepping back].--If you'll put down that there poker, you
know, then I'll pitch into you fast enough. But that there poker ain't
fair, you know.
K.--You villain! of course you will leave this house. And, Miss Prior, I
think you understand that you will go too. I don't think my niece wants
to learn DANCIN', you understand. Good-by. Here, Bulkeley! [Gets behind
footman and exit.]
MISS P.--Do you know the meaning of that threat, Mr. Howell?
JOHN.--Yes, Miss Prior.
MISS P.--I was a dancer once, for three months, four years ago, when my
poor father was in prison.
JOHN.--Yes, Miss Prior, I knew it. And I saw you a many times.
MISS P.--And you kept my secret?
JOHN.--Yes, Ju--Jul--Miss Prior.
MISS P.--Thank you, and God bless you, John Howell. There, there. You
mustn't! indeed you mustn't!
JOHN.--You don't remember the printer's boy who used to come to Mr.
O'Reilly, and sit in your 'all in Bury Street, Miss Prior? I was that
boy. I was a country-bred boy--that is if you call Putney country, and
Wimbledon Common and that. I served the Milliken family seven year. I
went with Master Horace to college, and then I revolted against service,
and I thought I'd be a man and turn printer like Doctor Frankling. And I
got in an office: and I went with proofs to Mr. O'Reilly, and I saw
you. And though I might have been in love with somebody else before I
did--yet it was all hup when I saw you.
MISS P. [kindly.]--YOU must not talk to me in that way, John Howell.
JOHN.--Let's tell the tale out. I couldn't stand the newspaper
night-work. I had a mother and brothers and sisters to keep, as you had.
I went back to Horace Milliken and said, Sir, I've lost my work. I and
mine want bread. Will you take me back again? And he did. He's a kind,
kind soul is my master.
MISS P.--He IS a kind, kind soul.
JOHN.--He's good to all the poor. His hand's in his pocket for
everybody. Everybody takes advantage of him. His mother-in-lor rides
over him. So does his Ma. So do I, I may say; but that's over now; and
you and I have had our notice to quit. Miss, I should say.
MISS P.--Yes.
JOHN.--I have saved a bit of money--not much--a hundred pound. Miss
Prior--Julia--here I am--look--I'm a poor feller--a poor servant--but
I've the heart of a man--and--I love you--oh! I love you!