Mr. Toov. No, my love, I can't exactly say as much as that—but—yes, every time the door opens it's more perceptible! (He sniffs.) Don't you observe yourself, my dear, a remarkably strong odour of tobacco-smoke? Now, as I never have been a smoker myself, it stands to reason that——
[Mrs. T. suddenly sits down, scarlet.
Phœbe (roused). I'm sure if you and master suspect me of concealing followers downstairs, you're welcome to search as much as you please! Cook's gone up to bed hours ago, and for a poor girl to be kep' up to this time o' night, and then have her character took away—why, I'm not accustomed to such treatment, and, what's more, put up with it I won't.
Mrs. Toov. (to herself, guiltily). It's that filthy smoke at the Eldorado! (Aloud.) Theophilus, how can you have such ridiculous fancies? Tobacco, indeed! I—I don't notice anything. Phœbe, it was a mistake of your master's; I don't blame you in the least. There, you've sat up long enough, go to bed, go, girl!
Phœbe. Beggin' your pardon, m'm, but insinuations have been descended to which I can't pass over in a hurry, and before I go I should wish——
Mrs. Toov. (feverishly). I tell you it was all a mistake. Your master will apologise for it. Pa, say you're sorry!
Phœbe. I don't require no apologies from master, m'm. I can make allowances for him—more partickler as there's no mistake about there being a smell of tobaccer-smoke. I don't wonder at anyone noticing it. It's your sending for me like this, and trying to shift the blame on the innercent, when all the time——
Mrs. Toov. (to herself). This is too intolerable! (Aloud.) Haven't I said I didn't blame you, you unreasonable girl! Let us have no more of this impertinence! Leave us!
Phœbe. I will, m'm, as soon as ever you can get suited, for, to tell you the truth, I don't like such goings on as these; and I'll take care I get a good character, too, or I'll know the reason why! (As she closes the door.) And I 'ope master will satisfy himself where the smell of tobacco reelly does come from, I'm sure; it isn't from downstairs!
[She vanishes, leaving Mrs. T. petrified.