ROSALINE.
Mr. Sylvester is in there. Here, if you don"t want to be seen, get into this cupboard.
HENRICH SCHERCL.
Is it glean? Are you sure?
ROSALINE.
Clean as a new pin. Come on if you mean it, there"s no time to waste.
Now or never?
HENRICH SCHERCL.
(_Going into cupboard, gingerly_). I am certain it is not glean.
(ROSALINE _shuts the door and turns as_ MRS. SYLVESTER _re-enters with_ MRS. TEMPENNY).
MRS. SYLVESTER.
I told you so! Here she is as bold as bra.s.s. Now what do you say to that?
MRS. TEMPENNY.
If indeed my husband brought her here--if he has really a.s.sisted Mr.
Sylvester to deceive you--
MRS. SYLVESTER.
(_Scornfully_). "IF!" The creature does not deny it. Speak, girl.
ROSALINE.
Good afternoon.
MRS. SYLVESTER.
"Good afternoon?" It isn"t a "good afternoon" I want you to say. Speak, I tell you.
ROSALINE.
What shall we talk about?
(_R.D. slowly opens a little_--_showing_ REMBRANDT TEMPENNY _and_ CHARLES SYLVESTER _listening_).
REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.
(_Aside to_ CHARLES SYLVESTER). Can you do it, do you think?
CHARLES SYLVESTER.
I can do it.
REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.
Threaten to punch my head.
CHARLES SYLVESTER.
Yes, yes--and you had better be very violent too.
REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.
I twig. Wait a moment.
(_They withdraw_).
MRS. TEMPENNY.
(_Bursting into tears_). I will never forgive him as long as I live.
MRS. SYLVESTER.
I should think not. When I see Charles--!
MRS. TEMPENNY.
Oh, and when I see Rembrandt--!
MRS. SYLVESTER.
I _will_ see him, if I stop till midnight!
MRS. TEMPENNY.
And _I"ll_ see him, if I don"t go home for a week!
(_Enter_ REMBRANDT TEMPENNY _backwards, very disordered attire_--_his entrance to suggest that he has been flung in_. CHARLES SYLVESTER _follows_).
CHARLES SYLVESTER.
(_With affected fury_). If you did not bring this person here, sir, how did she come?
REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.
How?
CHARLES SYLVESTER.