Enter Hat. and Luc., C., dragging Roam. with them.
Luc. The base deceiver!
Hat. (letting go of Roam. and wringing her hands excitedly). Oh! Oh!
Hiram. That must be the man Styles sent over to paint the boat.
Roam. (eagerly). I’m the man, boss. Just get me away from these women and I’ll go right to work.
Luc. (letting go her hold upon Roam., and looking surprised). But he proposed to Miss Renwick, Hiram.
Roam. That was a joke. (Looks at Percy, who shakes finger warningly.) I found a letter she had written to some one, and I made out I was the man. I’m only a common tramp painter. She don’t want me for a husband, unless she feels like earning the livin’.
Hat. (throwing up her hands and staggering about as though she is going to fall). Oh! I shall faint—I know I will. Somebody catch me—quick!
Hick. (starting forward to catch her). Don’t fall, miss.
Luc. (grabbing Hick. by the collar and pulling him back). Let her fall, if she wants to. The first thing you know she will be trying to make you propose to her.