[Exit at L. H.
JOGTROT. Umph! a decided check for Chirper—who, if he loses the young lady, will also lose the thousand pounds I owe him. But it isn’t necessarily checkmate. No, no! as the young lady’s legal guardian I shall have something to say yet!
Enter JACK hastily at C., putting on his coat.
JACK (laughing as he enters). Ha! ha! poor old Blunt! he soon had enough of it! (Seeing DOCTOR.) Well, you’ve seen my aunt—eh? She rather astonished you, didn’t she? But really, now (taking JOGTROT’S arm familiarly), you never thought your man had the ghost of a chance, did you?
JOGTROT. My man?
JACK. Yes, Dicky! here he is! (going up to meet CHIRPER, who enters at C.). (Aside to him.) Our intellectual friend has something to tell you! Be a man, Dicky (slapping him on the back). It’s no use crying over spilt milk, my Trojan!
[Exit at C., CHIRPER staring after him in astonishment.
JOGTROT (aside). There are circumstances under which a fib becomes a duty. (Aloud, and grasping CHIRPER’S hand.) I congratulate you, she’s yours! At least she will be!
CHIRPER (very quietly). Oh, joyful tidings.
JOGTROT. But it is possible you may have a rival.