ANTHONY (_enters_).
I owed you an apology for something, but if I excuse you for
making debts secretly, and pay them for you into the bargain, I
may be let off.
KARL.
The one’s good and the other is unnecessary. If I sell my
Sunday clothes I can satisfy the people myself, that want a few
shillings from me. When I’m a sailor--(_aside_) there, it’s
out!--I shan’t want them.
ANTHONY.
What talk is this?
KARL.
It’s not the first time you’ve heard it, but say what you like,
my mind’s made up this time.
ANTHONY.
Well, you’re old enough, that’s true.
KARL.
Just because I’m old enough, I don’t crow about it. But to my
mind, fish and fowl shouldn’t quarrel as to whether it’s better
in the air or in the water. One thing more. Either you’ll never
see me again, or you’ll clap me on the shoulder and tell me I did
right.
ANTHONY.
We’ll wait and see. I don’t need to pay off the man I’d engaged
to do your work. What more is there in it?
KARL.
Thank you!
ANTHONY.
Tell me. Did the bailiff really take you right through the town
to the mayor’s, instead of taking the shortest road?
KARL.
Up street and down street, and over the market place, like a
Shrove Tuesday ox. But take my word for it--I shall pay him out
before I go.
ANTHONY.
I can’t blame you, but I forbid you to do it.
KARL.
Ho!
ANTHONY.
I won’t let you out of my sight. If you tried to lay hands on
him, I’d help the fellow myself.
KARL.
I thought you, too, were fond of mother.
ANTHONY.
I’ll prove that I was.