Page:Grimshaw, Bagshaw and Bradshaw.djvu/19

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GRIMSHAW, BAGSHAW, AND BRADSHAW.
15
Fan. (impatiently.) Go on.
Grim. (reading) "He has found out where you live, so mind your"—what's this?—"mind your peas and"—oh! your p's and q's—p-a-a s, p's—and k-e-w-s, q's.
Fan. This is what I dreaded! (walking about.)
Grim. (following her) Now, Fanny, don't take on so—I don't know this Soosan—I give you my honor I never took the slightest interest in any Soosan in all my life, except Blackeyed Soosan at the Surrey! Well, since you won't believe me. this is no place for me! (with dignity, and moving towards the door.)
Fan. Stay! (aside) Yes, he had better stop—we may need his protection. (aloud) You needn't go, Peter! (coaxingly) You wouldn't leave your Fanny?
Grim. (aside) Holloa! This sudden change means something.—as Soosan would say, I must mind my "peas and kews." (aloud) Of course, where Fanny is there would Peter be likewise.
Fan. (aside) Emily must be made acquainted with her aunt's message—but how? I have it! I can reach that room by means of the corridor, (going towards door r. h.)
Grim. Holloa, holloa! it's you that are leaving your Peter!
Fan. Only for a minute. (hastens out at door, r. h., shutting it after her)
Grim. She says, only for a minute; then I'll take care nobody else shall come in. (locks door) That's a very remarkable young woman—she's something out of the common, and that's why I like her; but I confess I should like to know why she was so excessively anxious to turn me out of my apartment, (suddenly) Good gracious! she may have had somebody else here! a favored lover, perhaps, that she could'nt receive at home—that'd account for the powerful smell of tobacco! How shall I find out? I have it—perhaps she'll talk in her sleep—for I hope she will go to sleep—I can't keep awake all night. By the bye, where am I to sleep? I know—a couple of chairs will do very well—one for my head, and the other for my feet; but then, what's to become of my——that won't do at all—no, I'll put the two chairs together for my——no, that won't do either, for what shall I do with my head and my feet?—never mind, I'll manage it somehow. I declare I feel quite chilly—I've half a