MRS. SHORT. I see my husband doesn't wish me to go, and I feel now it
wouldn't be right to leave him; so, although he has given me _full
permission_ to go, I shall not avail myself of his _kindness_----
SHORT. (_looking at SWEET_) A--hem!
SWEET. (_aside_) How on earth does he do it? What can be the nature of
the influence? He must do something to her.
MRS. SHORT. Well, since I am not going, I may as well take off my
things. (_to SWEET_) You'll explain matters to Fanny. (_aside_) What a
fright he gave me! (_crossing_) Just as everything was arranged so
nicely--how vexatious!
_Exit through door, L. 1 E._
SHORT. (_balancing himself, with his thumbs in his waistcoat, looking
triumphantly at SWEET_) I told you so. Hand me over five pounds!
SWEET. (_taking out his purse and paying the money_) It isn't enough
that I am to be made sensible that I'm not half such a happy man as
you are, but I'm to pay for the conviction into the bargain! You're a
sorcerer!
SHORT. No--the girl's devoted to me, that's all.
SWEET. Go along with you--don't tell me--it won't bear thinking about!
Zounds, I shall become unhappy if I do--I won't stand it, Short! Hang
me if go to Dulwich either--hang me if I do!--and yet that will be no
punishment to Fanny, for she didn't wish to go herself.
SHORT. Pray don't let me prevent _your_ going.
_Enter STEPHEN, L. C., with cold meat._
(_to STEPHEN, L. C._) Come, what a time you've been. (_he sits down
and begins to eat_)
SWEET. Stephen.
STEPHEN. Yes, sir.
SWEET. Tell the man to take back the horses to the stables, we are not
going.
_Enter MRS. SWEET, as he is speaking, dressed in riding hat and habit,
through door, L. 2. E._
MRS. SWEET. What do you mean? Not going?
SWEET. No, my dear, I have changed my mind. (_STEPHEN lingers for
further orders_)
MRS. SWEET. What for? We are all ready, and here's Mr. Short come
home.
SWEET. Yes, but you see he is busy. (_pointing to SHORT, who is eating
voraciously_) He doesn't wish to go, and _his_ wife remains at home to
keep him company.
MRS. SWEET. But what in the name of goodness has all this to do with
us?
SWEET. I tell you, Short doesn't want to go--and I desire, Mrs. Sweet,
there may be no further discussion on the subject--you understand!
(_imitating SHORT_) "I don't go!" (_aside_) That's it, I think, as
near as a toucher. (_aloud_) Stephen, do as I ordered you. (_STEPHEN
is about to go_)
MRS. SWEET. Stop a moment, Stephen.