(_Enter EGLANTINE._)
EGLANTINE. Papa! For heaven's sake, what _is_ the matter?
WHITWELL (_stupefied_). What, Mr. Coddle! I thought you were deaf. Is
it possible you can hear?
CODDLE (_shouts_). Perfectly well, sir; and so it seems can you. I
will repeat, if you wish it, every one of those delectable compliments
you paid me five minutes since.
WHITWELL (_to EGLANTINE_). I can't believe my ears. Miss Coddle, has he
been shamming deafness, then, all this time?
EGLANTINE (_shouts_). No, indeed. A doctor cured his deafness only half
an hour ago.
JANE. Ah! Dear old master, was it kind to deceive me in this fashion?
Why didn't ye tell me? Ah! now ye can hear, I love you tenderer than
ever.
CODDLE. Tell you, you pig, you minx! I tell you to walk out of my house.
WHITWELL (_aside_). I'll take you into my service.
CODDLE (_loud to WHITWELL_). Come, sir, you too. You are an impostor,
sir. Leave my house.
EGLANTINE. Ah, papa! I love him.
WHITWELL. What do I hear? You love me, Eglantine?
EGLANTINE (_shrieks_). Ah-h-h! I forgot you could hear. (_Hides her
face in her hands._)
WHITWELL. Thank Heaven, I can! or I should have lost the rapture of
that sweet avowal. Mr. Coddle, I love--I adore your daughter. You heard
a moment since the confession that escaped her innocent lips. Surely
you cannot turn a deaf ear to the voice of nature, and see us both
miserable for life. Remember, sir, you have now no deaf ear to turn. Be
merciful.
CODDLE. What, sir! Give you my daughter after all your frightful
insults? Never!
WHITWELL. Remember how you treated me, sir; and reflect, too, that you
began it. Insults are not insults unless intended to be heard. For
every thing I said, I apologize from the bottom of my heart. Ah, sir!
be considerate, lenient.
CODDLE (_after a pause_). Do you retract "old ruffian"?
WHITWELL. Certainly.