Fred (protestingly). Oh! I say, you know——(Rises and goes, L.)
Sel. (rises and goes, R.). What! Would you refuse? Oh, that I ever should have allowed a man to save my life who would afterward deny me such a simple favor as this!
Fred. Look here, can’t you send a servant?
Sel. What? Entrust my secret to a mercenary? Frederick Bellamy, did you save my life, or did you not?
Fred (sulkily). I did!
Sel. Did I ask you to do so?
Fred. No, considering you were at the bottom of a pond at the time you couldn’t!
Sel. You should have left me there if you only dived in to drag me on shore to witness your ingratitude.
Fred. Oh, bother! I suppose I must; where’s the infernal stovepipe?
Sel. (joyfully). I knew you would assist me and in return I’ll tell you something (whispering)—look out for a surprise! (Aside.) Poor fellow, I know he adores my daughter and thinks to let concealment like a thingamy in the bud feed on his damask cheek! (Effusively.) Bless you, my boy!