[_BLORE advances to NOAH with a nervous smile, extending his hand._
NOAH.
[_Taking BLORE"S hand and holding it firmly._] A friend of hern is a friend o" mian!
BLORE.
I "ope so, Mr. Topping. I thank you.
NOAH.
She"s gettin" me a lot o" nice noo friends this week, since we coom to St. Marvells.
BLORE.
Of course, dear "Annah was a lovin" favorite with heverybody.
NOAH.
Ay. Well then, as her friends be mian, I"m takin" the liberty, one by one, of gradually droppin" on "em all.
BLORE.
[_Getting his hand away._] Dear me!
NOAH.
And if I catch any old fly a buzzin" round my lady I"ll venture to break his "ead in wi" my staff!
HANNAH.
Oh, Noah!
BLORE.
[_Preparing to depart._] I--I merely called to know if hanything had been found hout about the ruffian took in our stables last night!
NOAH.
Is that your business?
BLORE.
It--it"s my master"s business.
NOAH.
He"s the De-an, ain"t he?
HANNAH.
Yes, Noah, of course.
NOAH.
[_Fiercely._] Shut oop, darlin". Very well, then--give Mr. Topping"s respects to the Dean, and say I"ll run up to the Deanery and see him after I"ve took my man over to Durnstone.
BLORE.
Thank you--I "ope the Dean will be at "ome. Good-day, "Annah!
Good-day, Mr. Topping!
[_Offering his hand, into which NOAH significantly places his truncheon. BLORE goes out quickly._
HANNAH.
[_Whimpering._] Oh, Noah, Noah, I don"t believe as we shall ever get a large circle of friends round us!
NOAH.
Now then! [_Selecting a pair of handcuffs and examining them critically._] Them"ll do. [_Slipping them into his pocket, and turning upon HANNAH suddenly._] "Annah!
HANNAH.
Yes, Noahry----
NOAH.
Brighten oop, my darlin", the little time you "ave me at "ome with you.
HANNAH.
Yes, Noahry.
[_She bustles about and begins to lay the cloth._
NOAH.
I"m just a" goin" round to the stable to put old Nick in the cart.
HANNAH.
Oh, dont"ee trust to Nick, Noah dear--he"s such a vicious brute.
Kitty"s safer in the cart.
NOAH.
Shut oop, darlin". Nick can take me on to the edge o" the hill in half the time.