Washer Woman—And so I have caught the old Scotch Serpent at last, eh? I have been here a dozen times, and also at your last boarding house, which you left without paying a poor widow (with five young children) for your board, and she is very sick in consequence of your cowardly villainy, and is about to have another child, and her landlord told her yesterday that she must move immediately, or he would turn her into the street, for not paying her rent. But I’ll stand none of your wickedness. And now, Bennett, if you don’t instantly pay me for washing and mending your filthy and ragged clothes, I will rope you on the spot. (She takes a rope from behind her apron.)
Bennett—Call in the morning, and I will certainly pay you.
Washer Woman—I shall do no such thing, you lying diddler. I will have it now, or I will rope you, and pull your hair, and scratch and bite, and maul you to a jelly. (She approaches him with menacing gestures.)
Bennett—There, good woman,—there’s your money. (She seizes it and departs, wagging her head and body with victorious vociferations.)
Bennett—There, Master Kelly, you perceive that I am very poor.
John—Yes, sir, and so am I, and I like to be with the poor, because they are far more kind and generous than the rich.
Bennett (wiping a tear from his eye)—My boy, I can see a noble heart in your breast, and you remind me of the happy friends I left in my native land, whom I may never see again, and who are ignorant of the terrible vicissitudes through which I have passed, since I left my dear father’s roof.
John—What country is yours?
Bennett—Scotland.
John—Ah! Scotland! My adored grandfather’s native home! O, I love you much better, now that I learn you came from Scotland.