DE W. I'm so glad you are here before the others. Leave the room,
Thwaites. (_THWAITES lingers, moving at back to C._) I can now
disburden my heart. As I said, I'm all heart. (_THWAITES advances,
C._) Leave the room, Thwaites! (_THWAITES goes up, and moves chair
from R. to C._) This moment is the most important--Zounds! Thwaites,
will you leave the room?
THWAITES. (_aside, going up, C._) That's the man of money. Give me the
man of mind!
_Exit, C., off, L._
DE W. (_coming to C._) Now look, I hesitate no longer; I shilly-shally
no longer; I follow the dictates of my heart, and my heart tells me
to--Come here, Whitewash--come here, Aggy. (_joins their hands_)
Whitewash, consider yourself as my son-in-law.
AGATHA. Really, this is very sudden, 'pa.
DE W. Of course it is; I'm always sudden, I'm a creature of impulse.
But do you dislike the arrangement?
AGATHA. I did not say that, 'pa.
DE W. Didn't say that, 'pa! Then why don't you speak out? Wear your
mind in your face, as I do, or as my young friend here, with whom I
want to speak a few words in private. So, go and see how they are
getting on with the coffee.
WHITE. (R.) And don't forget, that you are engaged to me for the first
set, and the Polka, and the Lancers.
DE W. Of course, she won't forget. Run along child.
_Exit, AGATHA, C., off, L._
Now, I can give vent to my feelings; Whitewash, you've done it. I was
long making up my mind, but now, you've done it. You are one of the
men I like. (_shakes his hand violently--they sit_)