Mr. S. Well, Bridget, Mrs. Smith is to be away all day, and I thought we’d clean the kitchen closet while she’s gone, and so surprise her when she comes home.
B. An’ d’ye think I’ll begin a big job like that while she’s away? She always helps me at cleanin’-house time.
Mr. S. Oh, well, I’ll help you. I’ll take down the dishes, and you can wash and wipe them, and wash out the closet. Then I’ll help you put them back again.
B. Axin’ yer pardon, sir, I can’t do it.
Mr. S. What! do you refuse to obey orders? (Sarcastically.) I suppose you’ll expect to receive your wages just the same.
B. Av coorse I shall. I never refuses to do anything the missis requires, but I aint goin’ to be ordered round by a man.
Mr. S. If you’re not willing to do what I tell you, the sooner you find another place, the better.
B. (angrily). I’m goin’ to lave the house this blessed minnit, so I am. It’s Bridget McFinnigan that won’t be imposed upon by the likes uv you, or any other man! (She takes off her apron hastily, throws it over a chair, and leaves the room, R., full of indignation.)
Mr. S. Well, I’m afraid I’ve got myself into trouble. I’d better have waited till after dinner before speaking about cleaning. But, as it seems I’ve got to do what I can, alone, I might as well finish washing the breakfast dishes. (Takes Bridget’s apron, and ties it on loosely. He begins to wipe a plate, but it falls from his hands and is broken.) There goes a plate. I must go and throw it into the stove, or Mrs. Smith will be twitting me about breaking things. (Goes to the next room, R., where a stove is supposed to be, and leaves the broken plate. Returns and commences washing dishes again.) After all, there isn’t much work about keeping house. It’s astonishing how these women can employ all their time! Perhaps it is better that Bridget left me as she did to-day, as now I can show Mrs. Smith how easily housework may be disposed of.
Willie (enters, L., with torn clothes, and rubbing his eyes with his hands). Ur-r-r-r, ur-r-r-r, (louder) ur-r-r-r!