Mrs. T. No matter whose work it is, I wish you to do it.
Pete. (to Daisy) Dis is yo'r doin's. I'll pour a pitcher ob ice water down yo'r back, see if I don't. I'll git eben wid yo'. (aside) I won't wait on de table.
Mrs. T. What's that?
Pete. (quickly) I said Daisy would hab to help.
Mrs. T. Go instantly and do as I told you. (Exit Pete L. 2 E., grumbling; slams door after him. Wheeler, half smiling, crosses R. and sits. Mrs. T. sits on sofa. Daisy remains standing just R. of door L. 2 E.) I declare I don't know what to do with that boy. He's growing worse and worse. Oh, Mr. Wheeler, before I forget it, I wish to have a few minutes' talk with you after dinner about Pete's conduct toward you this morning.
Wheeler. Very well, madam, it will give me great pleasure to comply with your request.
Mrs. T. I do hope that was brother ringing. Do you know, I feel no little anxiety about this meeting.
Wheeler. I think your daughter told me that you never had met your brother-in-law?
Mrs. T. No; William, my late husband, and he were not good friends. It was the Deacon's fault. In his younger days he was too fond of the wine cup, and when William attempted to warn him of its evils, he became angry, alienated himself from my husband, and refused from that day on to have any intercourse with him whatever.