BET. Well, if I have you sent for me.
MOUS. The fact is, I requested your presence here—to—to—reason with you—on the—impropriety of your conduct.
BET. Sir. (aside) If I was only sure of the shop, I’d bust out a laughing—but, as I ain’t, I dare not. (aloud) I see how it is you want to break my heart.
MOUS. Hush! (trying to pacify her) You’re wrong, Betsy, but you don’t know what it is to have a young and lovely wife, Betsy.
BET. Yes I do.
MOUS. No you don’t, and what’s more, you probably never will. And so, Betsy—that is—I mean—I say—I mean—(aside)—I can’t make up my mind as to what I do mean.
WOMEN heard again without.
MOUS. (aside) The women again! I’ll go and shut the office door, for fear they should come in that way. (goes off, R. D. F.)
BET. (suddenly leaving off sobbing) I’m horribly afraid the little shop at the corner of the street, will slip through my fingers at last. (double knock at street door) Oh, gemini! Who can that be? What’ll become of me?
MRS. MOUSER enters, L. D. F., followed by BOY.