BUCKTHORN. Oh! exactly; I see. You may tell him he has my full consent.
JENNY. He hasn't asked for it.
BUCKTHORN. Hasn't he? And you've been in the bay-window an hour? Well, my darling—I was considered one of the best Indian fighters in the old army, but it took me four years to propose to your mother. I'll go and see the Captain. [Exit to hall.
JENNY. I wonder if it will take Captain Heartsease four years to propose to me. Before he left Washington, nearly two years ago, he told everybody in the circle of my acquaintance, except me, that he was in love with me. I'll be an old lady in caps before our engagement commences. Poor, dear mother! The idea of a girl's waiting four years for a chance to say "Yes." It's been on the tip of my tongue so often, I'm afraid it'll pop out, at last, before he pops the question.
Enter BUCKTHORN and HEARTSEASE from hall.
BUCKTHORN. Walk right in, Captain; this is the family room. You must make yourself quite at home here.
HEARTSEASE. Thank you. [Walking down.
BUCKTHORN. My dear! [Apart to JENNY.] The very first thing he said to me, after our greeting, was that he loved my daughter.
JENNY. Now he's told my father!
BUCKTHORN. He's on fire!