REBECCA. (reading the direction) “For my dear wife.” Another sop in the pan for missus.
VAN. What have you there?
REBECCA. (L.) A present for missus.
VAN. (R.—aside) My wife receive presents in my absence!
REBECCA. (peeping into parcel) What a beauty! all silk! What a lovely dress it will make.
VAN. Who can possibly have given her a silk dress?
REBECCA. What a question! Master, to be sure.
VAN. Master! What do you mean?
REBECCA. Why, sir, you know, when they have a quarrel, that’s his way of making it up again. He always gives her a present—sometimes one thing, sometimes another.
VAN. (dropping into a chair) What—what’s that you say?