CRUM. (aside to BETSY) Capitally. Capitally acted, so far. Only carry it on a little longer, and the shop is yours. (aside to MOUSER) Did you ever see such a pair of eyes? (aside, as he goes out, towards L. D. F.) I’ll not lose sight of them.
Exit L. D. F.
(MOUSER and BETSY stand at opposite sides of the Stage. Their eyes meet once or twice—she dropping them with emotion, and he drawing himself up and trying to appear indifferent. CRUMMY crosses unseen into Office, R.)
BET. Poor man! He’ll never begin, so I suppose I must. (aloud) Sir!
MOUS. (aside) Mouser, be firm. No damned nonsense! Do your duty, Mouser, and that duty commands you instantly to plunge a dagger into the heart that adores you. Well, Miss Baker? (with great indifference—his back towards her)
BET. Those as likes me calls me Betsy. (in a plaintive tone) Call me Betsy, sir!
MOUS. No, Betsy—I shall not call you Betsy—I never do call people by their Christian names, Betsy—never, Betsy! Never, Betsy!
BET. No more do I—unless they’re very—very pretty ones indeed, such as John, and Timothy, and Marmadook. (in a tender tone, and approaching him)
MOUS. (aside) Mouser, be firm. (turning to BETSY, and seeing her close to him, begins whistling again. BETSY retires a step or two, and approaches him again) So, you think Marmadook a pretty name, eh?
BETSY. Yes, sir. I could go on making rhymes to it all day long, as I stand at the washing-tub: just like the man in the play.