SHORT. Take care, you’ll have me down! Bear it like a man! There, take this chair; try and recover yourself.
(he supports him to a chair, R.)
SWEET. (sinking into the chair) Oh, Short!
SHORT. Never mind, my dear fellow, I’ll stand by you. I’m your friend.
SWEET. Oh for some vent to my feelings!—something to tear! (he snatches SHORT’S handkerchief from his pocket and tears it)
SHORT. What the devil are you doing? That’s one of my best half-dozen French cambric. (gathering up the pieces and putting them into his pocket)
SWEET. (starting up) Short, are you a good pistol shot?
SHORT. (staggered by the question) A good pistol shot? no, I never fired a pistol in my life.
SWEET. You’ll revenge me if I fall? I expect it of you as my friend; you said you’d stand by me.
SHORT. You don’t mean to say you’re going to challenge him?