_Tom._
[_Choking._] He's a--he's a---
_Imogen._
He's a hop-merchant.
_Tom._
No, he's not--[_sitting on the sofa, leaning his head on his hands_]
he's a stunner.
_Imogen._
[_Rising_] So you grasp the position. Theatre--manageress--author--play,
found; and eight hundred pounds _wanted!_
_Tom._
[_Rising._] Oh Lord!
_Imogen._
Who's got it?
_Tom._
[_Wildly._] The Queen's got it! Miss Burdett-Coutts has got it!
_Imogen._
Don't be a fool, Wrench. Do you remember old Mr. Morfew, of Duncan
Terrace? He used to take great interest in us all at the "Wells." He has
money.
_Tom._
He has gout; we don't see him now.
_Imogen._
Gout! How lucky! That means he's at home. Will you run round to Duncan
Terrace----?
_Tom._
[_Looking down at his clothes._] I!
_Imogen._
Nonsense, Wrench; we're not asking him to advance money on your clothes.
_Tom._
The clothes are the man, Jenny.
_Imogen._
And the woman------?
_Tom._
The face is the woman; there's the real inequality of the sexes.
_Imogen._
I'll go! Is my face good enough?
_Tom._
[_Enthusiastically._] I should say so!
_Imogen._
[_Taking his hands._] Ha, ha! It has been in my possession longer than
you have had your oldest coat, Tom!
_Tom._
Make haste, Jenny!
_Imogen._
[_Running up to the door._] Oh, it will last till I get to Duncan
Terrace. [_Turning._] Tom, you may have to read your play to Mr. Morfew.
Have you another copy? Uncle Clandon has mine.
_Tom._
[_Holding his head._] I think I have---I don't know-----
_Imogen._
Look for it! Find it! If Morfew wants to hear it, we must strike while
the iron's hot.
_Tom._
While the gold's hot!
_Imogen. and Tom._
Ha, ha, ha!
[_Mrs. Mossop enters, showing some signs of excitement._]
_Imogen._
[_Pushing her aside._] Oh, get out of the way, Mrs. Mossop--- [_Imogen
departs._]
_Mrs. Mossop._
Upon my----! [_To Tom._] A visitor for Miss Trelawny! Where's Miss
Trelawny?
_Tom._
With Mrs. Gadd. Mossop!
_Mrs. Mossop._