MRS. G. (aside) Now I’ll prove him. Say that you did nevare see her.
GREEN. How! disown Mrs. G., and turn my back upon my marriage certificate? (aside) She’s a Mephistopheles in petticoats.
MRS. G. It but want de courage.
GREEN. But I’ve no courage; one look from Mrs. G. would dissolve me into my own wellingtons.
MRS. G. If you tombè, I sall be close to prop you up. Den stand firm on your epingles—your pins; courage—entendez; ne funkez pas!
Exit, R. door, showing pistol.
GREEN. This is what I call a tremendous situation. Deny my wife, and such a wife as Mrs. G.: a woman that won’t be denied. How shall I ever attempt it? And if I don’t, there’s the Countess prepared to shoot me through the head! Oh, dear! I must have some brandy to screw up my nerves. (goes to a side table, pours brandy into a glass, and drinks) Hah! that revives me and brings back my courage, which was sneaking away in spite of me. (drinks) There! nothing like brandy. (MRS. G. is heard singing in room, L.) Hah! that’s her voice—the voice of my wife—that’s her high G, and that’s her shake. I can’t be mistaken in her shake, for it makes me shiver all over. Brandy! (drinks) Hah! I must be stern and resolved—the Countess has her eye upon me, and my wife’s coming. Never mind, I’m prepared for the worst. More brandy! (drinks) I feel myself growing desperately profligate—I’m becoming a brick. (drinks) I don’t care a straw for the world in general, nor for Mrs. G. in particular. Here she comes!
Enter BETSY, 2 E. L.
No, it’s only her maid Betsy.
BETSY. La! it surely never can be my master! Why, Mr. Greenfinch, sir—bless me! who could have thought of meeting you? Well, this will be a surprise to missus! (runs to L. 2 E., and speaks in) Oh, mum, make haste, please! here’s master—here he is, mum—he is, indeed—quite nat’ral, mum.