Ezek. I didn’t cheat you. You tried to keep me from gettin’ any profit on my goods. I put a price on them, and you could take them or not, as you pleased. You was willin’ to pay what I asked for them; so I don’t see how I cheated you.
Mrs. S. You didn’t tell me the truth about ’em (furiously). Then you called the nice pie I gave you wretched stuff. I shouldn’t ’a thought of givin’ it to you ef ye hadn’t said you didn’t git anythin’ fit to eat here.
Mrs. H. (starting forward). What’s that? What did he say?
Mrs. S. (gloating over her discomfiture). He said you wasn’t much of a cook, and, ef it warn’t for courtin’ Sairy Jane, he couldn’t stand it boardin’ here.
Mrs. H. (to Ezek.). So that’s the way you repay my kindness in taking you in, is it, you miserable villain? I’m mad enough to pull your hair—if you only had enough to pull.
Ezek. (glancing sideways at her). I shouldn’t dare to pull yours, marm, for fear ’twould come off in my hand.
Mrs. H. (advancing with a threatening air, and catching up the tongs as she goes). Get out of the house, you insultin’ creature, and never let me set eyes on you again!
(Ezekiel goes out as if in fear, R., slyly beckoning to Sarah Jane to go too. She nods and goes out by another door, R. Mrs. Hobbs throws Ezekiel’s pack after him.)
Mrs. H. (going toward Mrs. S. with tongs upraised). Now, old Skinflint, do you go too. You’ve made mischief enough here. I don’t blame the man for throwin’ your miserable pie away. I hope it wont pizen the fishes.
Mrs. S. (looking back as she goes out, R.). I guess you’ll find you’ve got enough to look after, without ’tendin’ to your neighbors’ business (pointing). There goes Sairy Jane with that peddler’s arm round her waist.