DE W. He is here—is he—the dear boy. I must shake him by the hand. (rushes forward, R. C. and grasps THWAITES by the hand) Eh! ha! ha! You’re not Whitewash! Ridiculous! I’m always making myself ridiculous; I’ve too much heart. You feel what I mean, Whitewash. (shakes his hand violently) You feel what I mean.
WHITE. (L. C.) Most acutely! (wringing his hand)
DE W. I’m so glad you are here before the others. Leave the room, Thwaites. (THWAITES lingers, moving at back to C.) I can now disburden my heart. As I said, I’m all heart. (THWAITES advances, C.) Leave the room, Thwaites! (THWAITES goes up, and moves chair from R. to C.) This moment is the most important—Zounds! Thwaites, will you leave the room?
THWAITES. (aside, going up, C.) That’s the man of money. Give me the man of mind!
Exit, C., off, L.
DE W. (coming to C.) Now look, I hesitate no longer; I shilly-shally no longer; I follow the dictates of my heart, and my heart tells me to—Come here, Whitewash—come here, Aggy. (joins their hands) Whitewash, consider yourself as my son-in-law.
AGATHA. Really, this is very sudden, ’pa.
DE W. Of course it is; I’m always sudden, I’m a creature of impulse. But do you dislike the arrangement?
AGATHA. I did not say that, ’pa.