ALLEN. You’ll just have time to play fifty up afore the man as I takes to be Dan Cassidy is here.
PURT. How will you let us know?
ALLEN. (Looks round thinking, then catches sight of glasses on table l.; takes one up and holds it over hearth.) Keep thee, ears open, and when thee hears this glass fall and break, open the door and come in. (All go up c. speaking low.)
(Exit Purt. and Hann. Dex. goes L.)
ALLEN. (Returning c.) Well, Colonel Dexter, what do thee want? Glad to see thee, thee know.
DEX. (l.c.) Nothing, dear boy—nothing for myself. I have only brought a letter from my little girl, and am to take back an answer. (Produces letter and hands to Allen.) I’m only Cupid to you young folks. Ha! Hat Only Cupid.
ALLEN. Ah, they usen’t to wrap ’em up so much when I wur young. (Crosses R., opens and reads letter.)
DEX. (Who is very much wrapped and buttoned up, laughs with much ostentation.) Ha! Ha! Very good, very good. We really must bring you out more, Allen. Ha! Ha! Ha!
ALLEN. (Who has sat r.in front of desk, reading.) “My darling Popsy-wopsy.” (Looks up puzzled and round at Dex. Aside.) That ain’t Clara’s usual style. (Reads.) “I am so terribly sorry to worry my own darling boy, but I am in such fearful trouble—I want £100 to pay some debts owing to a wicked man having cheated us. Would my own darling lend it to his broken-hearted little blossom, and don’t say anything to me afterwards until I pay you back, as I shall be so ashamed of it. I send papa with this. He knows nothing about it, so please don’t tell him—he is so proud.—(Allen looks at Dex., who turns away and tries to assume airy unconsciousness)—and would be so angry with me, but you are the only friend I have. Oh, my darling, do let me have the money or I shall go mad. A million, million kisses to my own sweet, precious lubby-dubby from his ever loving little birdie, Clara.” (Dex. sits c.) “P. S.—Please don’t cross the cheque.”
(Takes cheque-book from desk and begins to write.) Was Clara ill when she wrote this?