Beatie.
Oh, fancy your step-father blindly accepting such a responsibility.
[Gives him a cobnut to crack for her.
Cis.
Yes, wasn’t the guv’nor soft! I might have been a very indifferent sort of young fellow for all he knew.
[Having cracked the nut with his teeth, he returns it to her.
Beatie.
Thank you, dear.
Cis.
Well, when I heard the new dad was a police magistrate, I was scared. Said I to myself, “If I don’t mind my P’s and Q’s, the guv’nor—from force of habit—will fine me all my pocket-money.” But it’s quite the reverse—he’s the mildest, meekest——[The door opens suddenly.] Look out! Some one coming!