Fernan (hesitatingly). Why, miss, you see—the fact is—I'm your father!
Ninette. Impossible! I never had one!
Fernan. Law!
Ninette. That is—I had none that I ever saw.
Fernan. Oh, why in battle did no friendly blow
Finish her luckless parent long ago?
(in choked accents) Doth not the voice of nature seem quite clear—eh?
Ninette. The voice of nature seems a little beery.
Fernan (seizing her arm—music piano). Look at me well!
(Ninette appears gradually to recognise him.)
Ninette. Upon a close inspection,
I seem to have a dreamy recollection
Of having seen those eyes of yours somewhere,
Also that most extensive head of hair;
The accents of the voice, too, now I think,
Seem broken by emotion, not by drink;
Yes, it's all coming back to me, of course.
Fernan. Remember, dear, I bought you once a horse,
A wooden toy—remember, you had lots—
It ran on wheels—all mane and tail and spots—
Also a dog, a little dog, I vow,
Which, when you squeezed it, used to go Bow-wow!
Likewise a spade, which, on your nurse's head
You broke, and got well spanked and sent to bed——