Matilda.—Take the shawl from her.
Nicholas.—Let me have it. (pulls shawl from Biddy, exposing Pat to view).
Pat (bowing).—Yez’ll pardon me, but I was always bashful.
Nicholas.—Explain yourself, at once!
Matilda.—Look after the teaspoons!
Miss Spyall (aside).—Here’s a nut to crack! Here’s a scandal.
Biddy (crying and holding apron to eyes).—I’ll tell yez the truth. Patsy and meself are engaged to be married, and seein’ as I was to be lift alone in this big barn of a house, an’ bein’ timid, the poor man jist happened in to kape me company for a few minutes.
Pat.—What she says is intirely true, your honors; it’s meself that can bring a reference the lingth of me arrum.
Nicholas.—Enough. Biddy is too good a girl to be guilty of even a wrong thought. Our spoons are safe, and I (all advancing to front) have but one suggestion to make, that in future you entertain him in the kitchen, where you will not be likely to be disturbed by unwelcome visitors.
Matilda.—If I thought I would be free from unwelcome visitors (looking at Miss Spyall) I’d go to the kitchen too.