JOGTROT. I like the captain! I like him much! Rather a lively temper, perhaps; a little bit quarrelsome—eh? slightly pugnacious—umph!—and a sad fellow among the women, I’m afraid! Ha! ha! ha! (poking BLUNT in the side).
BLUNT. Who? Master? Not he! Only bring him face to face with a pretty wench, and see if he don’t stand there a-stammering and blushing like any big lubberly school-boy.
JOGTROT (aside). The scoundrel won’t speak! (Aloud.) I gave you a sovereign just now; oblige me by getting it changed for me.
BLUNT (aside). So, so. Wanted to pump me, did he? I’ll bring him a pound’s worth of coppers!
[Goes up, meets JACK, who enters at C., stops and whispers JACK, pointing to JOGTROT, then exit at C.
JACK. So, so! my serious friend, you not only, as my aunt tells me, refuse to withdraw your man, but you’ve been pumping Blunt about me, have you? (touching JOGTROT on the shoulder). You can spare me time for half a dozen words? Thank you (very quietly). It seems you are not over and above anxious that I should marry my cousin? (very quietly).
JOGTROT. Frankly, I am not!
JACK (still very quietly). May I ask why?
JOGTROT (aside). He doesn’t seem very explosive. I’ll go it a bit! (Aloud.) In the first place, from my limited acquaintance with military men, I confess—I—(shrugging his shoulders).
JACK (still very quietly). Well, sir?