SCENE I.
The House of Justice Headstrong—a hall—Lucy watering some myrtles—A servant behind the scenes is heard to say—
I tell you my master is not up. You can’t see him, so go about your business, I say.
Lucy. To whom are you speaking, William? Who’s that?
Will. Only an old man, miss, with a complaint for my master.
Lucy. Oh, then, don’t send him away—don’t send him away.
Will. But master has not had his chocolate, ma’am. He won’t ever see anybody before he drinks his chocolate, you know, ma’am.
Lucy. But let the old man, then, come in here. Perhaps he can wait a little while. Call him.
(Exit Servant.)
(Lucy sings, and goes on watering her myrtles; the servant shows in the Old Man.)
Will. You can’t see my master this hour; but miss will let you stay here.
Lucy (aside). Poor old man! how he trembles as he walks. (Aloud.) Sit down, sit down. My father will see you soon; pray sit down.
(He hesitates; she pushes a chair towards him.)
Lucy. Pray sit down.
(He sits down.)
Old Man. You are very good, miss; very good. (Lucy goes to her myrtles again.)
Lucy. Ah! I’m afraid this poor myrtle is quite dead—quite dead.
(The Old Man sighs, and she turns round.)
Lucy (aside). I wonder what can make him sigh so! (Aloud.) My father won’t make you wait long.
Old M. Oh, ma’am, as long as he pleases. I’m in no haste—no haste. It’s only a small matter.
Lucy. But does a small matter make you sigh so?
Old M. Ah, miss; because, though it is a small matter in itself, it is not a small matter to me (sighing again); it was my all, and I’ve lost it.
Lucy. What do you mean? What have you lost?
Old M. Why, miss—but I won’t trouble you about it.
Lucy. But it won’t trouble me at all—I mean, I wish to hear it; so tell it me.
Old M. Why, miss, I slept last night at the inn here, in town—the “Saracen’s Head”—
Lucy (interrupts him). Hark! there is my father coming downstairs; follow me. You may tell me your story as we go along.
Old M. I slept at the “Saracen’s Head,” miss, and—
(Exit, talking.)