Miss S.—Lord, what nice men! their words are sweet as honey; And, stranger still, they won't take ready money. I fork'd a five-pound flimsy out in vain— They're civil men, and I'll look in again. Snags (beseechingly).—Madam, your card? Mags (with deep emotion). And, might I humbly press For Miss Juliana Smashaway's address? 1st App.—Accept these gloves. 2nd App. This tabinet from me.
Clipclose, jun. (enters hastily—appears thunderstruck—starts—pulls off a ring, and, rushing forward, exclaims as he presents it,)
And this from your devoted Robert C.! Miss S.—Why, this flogs all, and Banaher's[103] beat hollow. Gemmen, adieu! (She bows, retiring.) Clerks and Apprentices (dolorously).—She's gone! Mr. C. (passionately.) And I will follow!
Exit Miss Smashaway; Clipclose after her. She jumps into a yellow cab, and he into a green one. Both start at a killing pace for Blackfriars' Bridge; yellow cab upsets a pieman, and green demolishes an establishment of "all hot." Clerks, shopmen, and apprentices strike their foreheads with considerable violence, and return behind the counters despondingly. Distant music from a barrel-organ. Scene closes.
Scene IV.—Mrs. Clipclose's Boudoir.
Mrs. C. in sea-green satin, putting on a cottage bonnet with artificial flowers. Lavender-coloured gloves upon the toilet, and selon la règle, a fresh pocket-handkerchief. Netty in attendance.
Annette.—Upon my life, the gemmen's hearts you'll fleece! What is so handsome as a green pelisse? Mrs. C.—Now for my love. Should Mr. C. return, Tell him I dine with Mrs. Simon Byrn. Annette.—Yes, ma'am.
(Jeremiah Scout enters the boudoir unannounced.)
Mrs. C. (indignantly.)—How's this? Why, Scout, you're monstrous rude! Jeremiah (with strong exertion.)—Down, my full heart! I hope I don't intrude? The saddest news, alas, to tell I'm come! (A long and harrowing pause.) Your husband's tapp'd by Tappington, the bum!