Dilly. O auntie, quick! they’re just going to start. Come, doctor, come and see the race. Why, how slow you are! Come, auntie, come right along. (Pulls Mrs. Loring off, C.)
Doctor. Mrs. Loring must be right. She has had my children under her eye so long, that she is better able to judge their characters than I with my numerous duties constantly occupying my attention. Some meddling person has sent these notes to annoy me. (Enter Butts, C., hurriedly.)
Butts. O doctor, doctor! such a crime! such a high-handed outrage, a diabolical crime! Oh the villain, the villain!
Doctor. What’s the matter now, Mr. Butts?
Butts. Keep cool, doctor, keep cool! It’s a terrible blow, but keep cool: take example from me. Oh the reprobate, the villain!
Doctor. Well, well! what is it?
Butts. Are we alone? I would have no ear listen to the tale of horror; no voice but mine break the silence!
(Dilly dances in, C., flapping the flag in Butts’s face.)
Dilly. They’re off, they’re off! Such a splendid start! Come quick, you’ll lose all the fun. (Dashes out, C.)
Butts. Confound that little imp! she’s always in the way.