Nelly. Ha, ha, ha! It’s a butter pat.
Carlos. Ho, ho, ho!
Charles. What’s the matter with you, Careless? (Carlos looks sober.) Do that again, and you’ll get anything but a pat. Go, make yourself presentable; put your auburn locks in curl-papers, and wash your face. You shall guide my friend in his day’s sport.
Carlos. Yes, sir. (Aside) He’s going to lead her with a halter, is he? I’ll show him sport. [Exit C.
Charles. Yes, Nelly, we’re to have a visit from my old chum, Dixie Dolby.
Nelly. Good gracious! he coming here?
Charles. Yes; for the first time; and to the country for the first time, too. This little matrimonial scheme of mine is the only secret I ever had from him. He didn’t know I was courting Jenny Bobstay until he received my wedding-cards. Wasn’t he surprised? No more than I, however. Just a year ago, that highly respectable old mariner, Captain Boliver Bobstay, mysteriously disappeared from Valparaiso, where the stanch bark “Indigo Blue” was waiting for a cargo. His coat and hat were found upon the pier; but the wearer never did appear upon that pier again.
Nelly. And he was not heard of again?
Charles. No. Yes. Six months ago, Jenny received a deed of this place from Uncle Bobstay. How it came, or where it came from, nobody knew; but it was found all right, and being a nice cosy place here, we married and settled upon it three months ago.
Nelly. But, Charley, your friend—