Page:Grimshaw, Bagshaw and Bradshaw.djvu/13

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been validated.
GRIMSHAW, BAGSHAW, AND BRADSHAW.
9

pledge me your word of honor as a gentleman, that you are getting-up a revolution!

Fan. Pshaw! (offering him his hat.)
Grim. (taking it) I'm going! (stops) By the bye, you’ll particularly oblige me by not indulging either in pipes or cigars—ten-a-shilling, Cubas especially. (going—stops) Might I venture to suggest one fond embrace, before we part? (Fanny shakes her head) Then when I come back—let it be when I come back, or I won't go at all.
Fan. Very well, (pushing him towards door, r. h.)
Grim. (stopping) You'll be kind enough to take in the milk in the morning, and a penn'orth of watercresses, and—that'll do, now I'm off! (stopping) By the bye, if you should happen to require any refreshment, you'll find the remains of a penny loaf and a jar of pickles in that closet, (pointing to door, r. c.) Now I really am going, (aside) but not for long—no, no, Miss Fanny, it won't be long before I drop down upon you again like a thunderbolt! (exit at door, r. h., Fanny hurrying him out—Peter pops his head in again.) If you require the warming-pan, you'll find it under the bed. (disappears. Fanny watches him, then closes the door and locks it.)
Fan. He's gone at last—Ha, ha! poor Peter, he's a dear, kind, obliging little fellow, that he is!—but now to work. (looking about her) Let me see—this must be the closet that Emily means. (opens closet door, l. c, and hastily removes great-coat, cloak, &c., which are hanging up at the back, flinging them on the stage) Ah, yes—here is the sliding panel, sure enough. (pushes it aside, then in a loud whisper) Emily—Emily!
Emily (without) Yes!
Fan. The coast is quite clear, you may venture.

Enter Emily through open panel—comes on stage through door of closet, and shuts it after her.

Emily. (looking about her) Is he gone?
Fan. Yes; but first let me replace these things, to prevent the discovery of this secret communication between the two rooms. (Fanny and Emily together hang the great-coat, &c. up again—they then come forward without closing the door after them) So far so well—and now, my dear Emily, thanks to my impudence and Mr. Grimshaw's good nature, you are safe