SKRUFF. Now don’t go on sighing like that, or you’ll be doing yourself some frightful internal injury!
TAUNT. Hetty will make you a good wife, Mr. Skruff, and a good mother to the little Skruffs, Mr. Skruff. Might I ask to be allowed to stand godfather to your first, Mr. Skruff?
SKRUFF. My dear sir, you shall stand godfather to the first dozen or two if you like!
TAUNT. Thank you, Mr. Skruff—but alas! alas! what is to become of the poor abandoned, broken-hearted Taunton? (another very deep sigh).
SKRUFF. Well! I don’t like to advise—but I really don’t see why you shouldn’t chuck yourself in the water, especially if you can’t swim!
TAUNT. (very quietly). Drown myself—not I! I shall at once propose to the other sister!
SKRUFF (aghast). What! (seeing letter on stage, and putting his foot on it). You mean to propose to Miss Florence?
TAUNT. Yes! this very day, this very hour! I suppose I shall be safe in that quarter? You won’t have the heart to molest me there, Mr. Skruff. (Aside.) Now to let Mallingford know about this wretched little interloper! I shall be sure to meet him coming from the station! (Aloud, and grasping SKRUFF’S hand.) Good-bye, Mr. Skruff! you have acted nobly!—nobly!—nobly, Mr. Skruff!
[Shaking his hand violently, and going off at gate R.