SKRUFF. That when she accepted you as a friend of the family she had no intention whatever of accepting you as a husband—and now, she thinks—I mean, imagines—I should say, believes, she’s made a slight mistake, because she finds she likes somebody else better.
TAUNT. What! (seizing SKRUFF by the collar and shaking him.)
SKRUFF. It’s no use giving way to your “savage ferocity,” sir; if you don’t believe me, you’d better go and ask Miss Hetty yourself.
TAUNT. (leaving hold of SKRUFF). Hetty! Did you say Hetty? (Aside.) One of her practical jokes evidently. Ha! ha! ha! (Pulls out his handkerchief and uses it to conceal his laughter, and at the same time drops the letter on stage.)
SKRUFF (in a compassionate tone to TAUNTON, who has still got his handkerchief to his face, and patting him commiseratingly on the back). Now don’t go and make yourself miserable because another fellow has stepped into the ten thousand pounds!
TAUNT. (aside). The mercenary rascal! I see Hetty’s “little game” now.
SKRUFF. Keep your pecker up, noble captain. I didn’t mean to cut you out, upon my life I didn’t!
TAUNT. (aside). I’ll humor the fellow. (Aloud, and with a very deep sigh.) Well, Mr.—Mr.—
SKRUFF. One moment (presents card to TAUNTON).
TAUNT. (reading). “Skruff—Tailor—Conduit Street. Orders promptly attended to.” Your information, Mr. Skruff, I confess, is not a pleasant one! Far from it, Mr. Skruff! (gives a very deep sigh).