Jane (shouts). I say, have you a wife?
Whitwell. A wife? No.
Jane. Drat him! he’s single, and marries Eglantine for sartain.
Coddle. He said no, I thought. (Shouts.) Are you a bachelor? (Shouts.) A bachelor? Bachelor? (Projects his ear.)
Whitwell. Yes.
Coddle (shouts). What do you say?
Whitwell (roars). Yes! By Jove, he’s deaf, and no mistake.
Coddle. He said yes, didn’t he? (Rises.) A bachelor! Glorious! (Roars.) Will you dine with us?
Whitwell. Lime-juice? with the shad? delicious!
Coddle. Dine with us?