SKRUFF. Well, the fact is, it’s such an awful expense to get down here!
GRITTY. What! from Putney to Teddington—eighteenpence second-class return? Surely that wouldn’t have ruined him!
SKRUFF (aside). If ever old Gritty becomes my uncle-in-law, I shall have to put a stop to all these extravagant notions of his.
GRITTY. Well, it seems you didn’t grudge the expense.
SKRUFF. Not a bit of it, because I didn’t go to it! I got a lift in our butcher’s cart to Richmond—then on to Twickenham with a benevolent baker, and walked the rest.
GRITTY (aside). A careful young man this! but I’m afraid my old friend has made a trifling mistake in his calculations. He used to say it was time enough to make a gentleman when you’d made your money—but in my opinion, a man can’t begin a bit too soon! (Aloud.) Now, Sammy, come and take a stroll round the grounds, and I’ll introduce you to my nieces, a couple of nice girls, Sammy! I hope you’re a lady’s man (poking him in the ribs), ha! ha!
SKRUFF. Well, as a rule, the sex is rather partial to me!—ha! ha! (giving GRITTY a poke in the ribs).
GRITTY. Is it? Well, there’s no accounting for taste!
SKRUFF. You see, father’s well off—and the pickings ’ll be uncommon good when the old boy pops off!—a great attraction to the female mind, Mr. Gritty!
GRITTY. I dare say; but luckily, my girls will not have to look to money as the main thing! (Looking round, and then in a confidential whisper to SKRUFF.) Ten thousand pounds, left by a rich old aunt! which may probably fall to—