| Cox.
|
Your apartment? Ha! ha!—come, I like that! Look here, sir—[Produces a paper out of his pocket.] Mrs. Bouncer's receipt for the last week's rent, sir—
|
| Box.
|
[Produces a paper, and holds it close to Cox's face.] Ditto, sir!
|
| Cox.
|
[Suddenly shouting.]Thieves!
|
| Both.
|
Mrs. Bouncer! [Each runs to door, l. c., calling.
|
Mrs. Bouncer runs in at door, l. c.
| Mrs. B.
|
What is the matter? [Cox and Box seize Mrs. Bouncer by the arm, and drag her forward.
|
| Box.
|
Instantly remove that hatter!
|
| Cox.
|
Immediately turn out that printer!
|
| Mrs. B.
|
Well—but, gentlemen—
|
| Cox.
|
Explain![Pulling her round to him.
|
| Box.
|
Explain! [Pulling her round to him.] Whose room is this?
|
| Cox.
|
Yes, woman—whose room is this?
|
| Box.
|
Doesn't it belong to me?
|
| Cox.
|
There! You hear, sir—it belongs to me!
|
| Mrs. B.
|
No—it belongs to both of you![Sobbing.
|
| Mrs. B.
|
Oh, dear, gentlemen, don't be angry—but you see, this gentleman—[Pointing to Box,]—only being at home in the day time, and that gentleman—[Pointing to Cox,]—at night, I thought I might venture, until my little back second floor room was ready—
|
| Cox & Box.
|
[Eagerly.] When will your little back second floor room be ready?
|
| Mrs. B.
|
Excuse me—but if you both take it, you may just as well stop where you are.
|
| Box.
|
With all my heart, sir. The little back second floor room is yours, sir—now, go—
|
| Mrs. B.
|
Now don't quarrel, gentlemen. You see, there used to be a partition here—
|
