DAVID. And no wonder; she tells me many’s the time she’s dangled ’ee on her knee, afore ye were breeched; (imitating) but ye know all about that.
RAT. Of course. I’ve the most distinct recollection of everything that happened to me before I was breeched.
DAVID. (having lighted candles) There, and now I’ll go down stairs and wait for missus; and as soon as she comes in, I’ll say to her——
RAT. Not one word, either to her or to Peggy! I wish to give them both an agreeable surprise, David; you understand, eh?
DAVID. (hesitating) I think I do!
RAT. (giving him money) There’s a crown for you—think again.
DAVID. (pocketing money) I’m sure I do! I’ll be as dumb as an oyster. (going—stops) As I said before, supper be all ready in t’other room, (going—stops) and if ’ee want anything you needn’t ring for me, ’cause I be going to take a bit of a snooze before the kitchen fire. (yawning) How sleepy I be to be sure.
Exit at door, L. C.
RAT. (watching DAVID out, then goes quickly up and closes the door) Alone at last—now then to work. (takes a pair of pistols from his coat pocket, which he places on table) But first, as ladies invariably fly to the bell ropes to raise an alarm, I must take the liberty of cutting these. (taking knife out of his pocket, and cutting the bell ropes) Now to examine the means of escape, in case of interruption—(opening window and looking out)—the garden—a small conservatory underneath—that’s awkward; but, luckily, there’s an apple tree so conveniently close as to make a very tolerable ladder on an emergency, so far perfectly satisfactory—and if my information is only tolerably correct, and it ought to be considering the trouble I’ve had in obtaining it, (taking small pocket book from his waistcoat and opening it) this door should lead to Mrs. Somerton’s chamber—(opening door at L., and looking in)—exactly, and very elegantly appointed indeed. (closes door, and again looking at his pocket book)—“near the door a table”—precisely—(laying his hand on the table)—“on the table a small writing desk”—here it is—(laying his hand on the writing desk)—locked, and the key taken out, that of course I expected; but as I have ascertained that between the hours of 12 and 1 yesterday it became the temporary receptacle of a pocket book containing bank notes to the amount of fifteen thousand pounds, it is not likely I should come unprovided with the means of securing such a treasure. (takes out a bunch of small keys, some of which he tries—produces a chisel from his coat pocket, and is about to insert it under the lid of the box, a loud ring at gate bell heard) Mrs. Somerton returned. (runs to door, L. U. E.—ring repeated) Again! Stay—(listening) The window—quick! (runs to window) A man in the garden, and cautiously making towards this window. Who can he be? and what can be his object? Not the same as mine surely—egad, that would be comical enough. If I could only observe—— Ah—that door. (blows out the candle, and gropes his way to door, R.; at the moment that he enters the room, R., POSTLETHWAITE’S head is seen at the window, R. U. E.)