_Imogen._
Ah!
_Tom._
[_Walking about, jauntily._] Ha!
_Imogen._
[_Seizing Sir William's hand._] Friend!
_Sir William._
[_Withdrawing his hand sharply._] I'll thank ye not to repeat that
action, ma'am. But I--I have been slightly indisposed since I made your
acqueentance in Clerkenwell; I find myself unable to sleep at night.
[_To Tom._] That comedy of yours--it buzzes continually in my head, sir.
_Tom._
It was written with such an intention, Sir William--to buzz in people's
heads.
_Sir William._
Ah, I'll take care ye don't read me another, Mr. Wicks; at any rate,
another which contains a character resembling a member of my family--a
_late_ member of my family. I don't relish being reminded of late
members of my family in this way, and being kept awake at night,
thinking--turning over in my mind----
_Imogen._
[_Soothingly._] Of course not..
_Sir William._
[_Taking snuff._] Pa--a--a--h! pi--i--i--sh!
When I saw Kean, as Richard, he reminded me of no member of my family.
Shakespeare knew better than that, Mr. Wicks. [_To Imogen._] And
therefore, ma'am, upon receiving your letter last night, acqueenting me
with your intention to commence rehearsing your comedy--[_glancing at
Tom_] his comedy----
_Imogen._
[_Softly._] _Our_ comedy----
_Sir William._
Ugh--to-day at noon, I determined to present myself here and request to
be allowed to--to----
_Tom._
To watch the rehearsal?
_Sir William._
The rehearsal of those episodes in your comedy which remind me of a
member of my family--a late member.
_Imogen._
[_Constrainedly_]. Oh, certainly----
_Tom._
[_Firmly._] By all means.
_Sir William._
[_Rising, assisted by Tom._] I don't wish to be steered at by any of
your--what d'ye call 'em?--your gypsy crew----
_Tom._
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Company, we call 'em.
_Sir William._
[_Tartly._] I don't care what ye call 'em. [_Tom restores the
throne-chair to its former position._] Put me into a curtained box,
where I can hear, and see, and not be seen; and when I have heard and
seen enough, I'll return home--and--and--obtain a little sleep; and
to-morrow I shall be well enough to sit in Court again.
_Tom._
[_Calling._] Mr. O'Dwyer----
[_O'Dwyer appears; Tom speaks a word or two to him, and hands him the
manuscript of the play._]
_Imogen._
[_To Sir William, falteringly._] And if you are pleased with what you
see this morning, perhaps you will attend another----?
_Sir William._
[_Angrily._] Not I. After to-day I wash my hands of ye. What do plays
and players do, coming into my head, disturbing my repose! [_More
composedly, to Tom, who has returned to his side._] Your comedy has
merit, sir. You call it _Life_. There is a character in it--a young
man--not unlike life, not unlike a late member of my family. Obleege me
with your arm. [_To Imogen._] Madam, I have arrived at the conclusion
that Miss Trelawny belongs to a set of curious people who in other paths
might have been useful members of society. But after to-day I've done
with ye--done with ye----[_To Tom._]