JOE. A d—d fool!
MAR. You did?
JOE. Yes; and why didn’t he come down and fight it out on the grass like a man? I’d ha’ soon ha’ ’molished him.
MAR. You would? and did you dare to call my husband names, and such a name? There, there, there, and there!
She seizes him by the collar with her left hand, and thrashes him with her right, and finishes by knocking his hat over his eyes, as SIR WILLIAM and LORD and LADY PLATO appear at the back.
—(running to SIR WILLIAM) I’m so glad you’ve come, my dear—he won’t behave bad any more, I can promise—I’ve given him such a thrashing!
JOE. I won’t come here again, I know! I came to see my cousin that was once so fond o’ me, only to bid her good bye, and I haven’t been in the house more nor half-an-hour, and I’ve been kicked and thumped about by everybody. I shall go to my new place with, a black eye, I know.
SIR W. My dear Margery, there was no necessity for being so severe with your cousin, I had sufficiently corrected him, though I must confess that I have not witnessed this proof of the openness of your heart, and the striking simplicity of your nature, without a feeling of gratification.
Enter BLENHEIM, at the back.