“My wife and I live all alone,
In the little brown house we call our own;
She,” &c.
Enters, C., intoxicated.
Hullo, Hen! How are you, Hen? I’ve been looking for you—I have. Wan’t at home. But the bottle was. I found it in the old spot, so I drank your health. “Here’s to Hen Douglas. Hip, hip, hooray!” Hullo, there’s the little brown jug! I’ll drink your health again. Hip, hip, hooray! (Drinks.) I say! what’s the matter with you?
Douglas. I have been insulted.
Will. Been what? Say that again. Show me the man, woman, or child that has insulted Hen Douglas,—hip, hip, hooray!—and I’ll—I’ll wipe him out. Fetch ’em on, one at a time, or all together. I’m the friend of the oppressed—I am. Feel my muscle! so don’t you be afraid. Say, who’s the feller or fellerers?
Douglas. Fellow, indeed! That miserable whelp, Ned Hartshorn, here in this place, and in the presence of your sister. But I’ve done with you all. I’ll not be disgraced by such associates. Good by, Will. You I like, and if ever you get into trouble, come to me in the city, and I’ll stand your friend.
Will. Say! hold on! Let’s settle this thing. You shall have satisfaction. If Ned Hartshorn has dared to insult my friend,—my friend, Hen Douglas; hip, hip, hooray!—I’ll trounce him. Now you just wait and see me do it. Going to the city? All right. I’ll go with you, spite of the old man.
Douglas. No, no, don’t pick a quarrel on my account. Perhaps he didn’t mean to insult me. Perhaps he was blinded by his love for your sister.