GOODY RICKBY What art thou mooning about?
DICKON [Still impenetrable.] There was my old friend in Germany, Dr. Johann Faustus; he was nigh such a bag of old rubbish when I made him over. Ain’t it trite! No, you can’t teach an old dog like me new tricks. Still, a scarecrow! that’s decidedly local color. Come then; a Yankee masterpiece!
[Seizing Goody Rickby by the arm, and placing her before the scarecrow, he makes a bow and wave of introduction.]
Behold, madam, your son—illegitimate; the future affianced of Mistress Rachel Merton, the heir-elect, through matrimony, of Merton House,—Gilead Merton second; Lord Ravensbane! Your lordship—your mother.
GOODY RICKBY Dickon! Can you do it?
DICKON I can—try.
GOODY RICKBY You will create him for me?— [Wickedly.] and for Gilead!
GOODY RICKBY [About to embrace him.] Dickon!
DICKON [Dodging her.] Later. Now, the waistcoat.