Dandy Dick: A Play in Three Acts

by Arthur Wing Pinero

Noah.

Do as I tell’ee. [She opens the oven door.] Torture! Of course it’s torture! That’s my rule! Whenever I get a ’old of a darned obstinate creature wot won’t reveal his hindentity I hopens the hoven door.

[He goes out into the street, and as he departs, the woful face of The Dean appears at the wicket, his head being still enveloped in the fur cap.

Hannah.

[Shutting the oven door.] Not me! Torturing prisoners might a’ done for them Middling Ages what Noah’s always clattering about, but not for my time o’ life. I’ll shut that wicket. [Crossing close to the wicket, her face almost comes against The Dean’s. She gives a cry.] The Dean!

The Dean.

Oh!

[He disappears.

Hannah.

Oh, no! Not my old master! Never the master! [Tottering to the wicket and looking in.] Master! Look at me! It’s ’Annah, your poor faithful servant, ’Annah!