JOGTROT (aside). He doesn’t seem at all explosive! I’ll go it another bit. (Aloud.) And although you have left the army, you can scarcely have failed to contract certain habits and pursuits, which, in my opinion, are more or less antagonistic to happiness in the married state!
JACK (aside). I’m getting the fidgets in my right leg! (Aloud.) In short, you look upon me as a decidedly disreputable person? (with difficulty restraining his passion).
JOGTROT (alarmed and very quickly). I didn’t say so! (Aside.) I sha’n’t go it any more bits. (Aloud.) But seriously! you don’t, you can’t really believe you love your cousin? You’ve only just returned from China.
JACK. What of that, as long as I didn’t leave my heart behind me?
JOGTROT. Still, this sudden, very sudden, remarkably sudden attachment, some people might be ill-natured enough to—to—to—
JACK (with increasing impatience). When you’ve quite done “to—to—toing,” perhaps you’ll get on.
JOGTROT. I repeat, some people might attribute to the lady’s fortune, rather than to the lady herself (with intention).
JACK. Fortune? What, Jessie? (After a short pause.) Well, so much the better! Not that I was aware of it.
JOGTROT (smiling significantly). Oh, you were not aware of it, eh?
JACK (checking his anger). I have said so once, sir!