(Enter Mr. Watmuff, door R.)
Emily. Oh, papa, I am in sad trouble. Mamma still withholds her consent.
Mr. W. My dear child, your mother, with the exception of her tongue, has a habit of withholding everything.
Emily. And she has ordered Walter to quit the house.
Mr. W. Well, my dear, beyond a not unnatural feeling of envy for Walter, I don't feel that I can express any sentiment on the subject. I have given my consent.
Emily. But of what use is it?
Mr. W. Not much, my dear, I must own. But I thought you might derive some comfort from it.
Emily. Do you know that mamma is now giving orders to the cook and housemaid to remove poor Walter by force?
Mr. W. My dear child, it is, I must admit, an extreme measure. But what can I do?
Emily. You ought not to brook such treatment.