SKRUFF. Ten days? Rather a short time to provide two husbands in?
GRITTY. Not at all! They’re already provided!—both of ’em!
SKRUFF. Already provided! (Aside.) And this is what I get for coming down here and wasting my income in travelling expenses! but I’ll make a fight of it yet! If they think they’re going to walk over the course they’ll find themselves mistaken! (Aloud.) And what sort of articles are these young chaps, eh? You can’t be too particular in selecting the pattern, Mr. Gritty.
GRITTY. Oh, they’re all right!—nice gentlemanly young fellows!
SKRUFF. Take care, Mr. Gritty!—I know pretty well what the general run of “gentlemanly young fellows” is!—they’re uncommon fond of running long tailors’ bills!
GRITTY. Well, you shall judge for yourself—they both dine here to-day!
SKRUFF. To-day? (Aside.) Then I haven’t much time to lose if I’m to cut ’em out! (Aloud.) You haven’t told me their names.
GRITTY. Oh! one is a military man, Captain Taunton of the Buffs—the other, Edward Mallingford, of the War Office!
SKRUFF (aside). Don’t remember either of their names—but they’re sure to be in debt somewhere or other—if I only had time to find out where! (Aloud.) And pray, which is which destined for, Mr. Gritty? (Aside.) It’s important for me to know that! (taking out his pocket-book on the sly).