Whi. Well, now you mention it, you are like him.
Tom. Matilda—once more, I implore you—— (Seizing her hand.)
Whi. Matilda, leave the room! (Takes her to door.) Sir, misled by a resemblance, which I admit to be striking, you have come here under the impression that you are my departed friend. I can excuse the error; but now that it’s been pointed out to you, if ever you attempt to embrace this young lady again, I’ll break your leg and set it myself.
[Exit.
Tom. Colonel O’Fipp, I——
O’Fi. Stop, sorr. If this conversation is to continue, I must be informed whom I have the pleasure of addressing. Up to the present moment we have only learnt who you are not. Let us now proceed to ascertain who ye are.
Tom. Colonel, I’m in that state of mental confusion, that I declare I don’t know who I am. Give me a little breathing time. When a young man believes he’s been Tom Cobb for twenty-five years, and then suddenly finds himself kicked out of Tom Cobb, with nowhere to go to, he wants a little breathing time to look about him and find a name to let.
O’Fi. Well, sorr, for the purpose of this interview one name’s as good as another. Here’s the Toimes newspaper. Ye’ll find many a good name goin’ beggin’ in that. Choose yer name. Here’s a gintleman who was hanged this mornin’! Would ye like his name? He’s done with it.
Tom. Don’t be unpleasant, Colonel.
O’Fi. Well, put your finger down; take the first that comes. (Puts Cobb’s finger on the newspaper at random.) Here’s one—the Bishop of Bath and Wells.