Coddle. Tell you, you pig, you minx! I tell you to walk out of my house.
Whitwell (aside). I’ll take you into my service.
Coddle (loud to Whitwell). Come, sir, you too. You are an impostor, sir. Leave my house.
Eglantine. Ah, papa! I love him.
Whitwell. What do I hear? You love me, Eglantine?
Eglantine (shrieks). Ah-h-h! I forgot you could hear. (Hides her face in her hands.)
Whitwell. Thank Heaven, I can! or I should have lost the rapture of that sweet avowal. Mr. Coddle, I love—I adore your daughter. You heard a moment since the confession that escaped her innocent lips. Surely you cannot turn a deaf ear to the voice of nature, and see us both miserable for life. Remember, sir, you have now no deaf ear to turn. Be merciful.
Coddle. What, sir! Give you my daughter after all your frightful insults? Never!
Whitwell. Remember how you treated me, sir; and reflect, too, that you began it. Insults are not insults unless intended to be heard. For every thing I said, I apologize from the bottom of my heart. Ah, sir! be considerate, lenient.
Coddle (after a pause). Do you retract “old ruffian”?