What"s that you say? You have just seen my wife?
ROSALINE (_nodding_).
She has been here. She has only just gone.
CHARLES SYLVESTER.
The devil! What did she say to you--what did she think?
ROSALINE.
She thought you knew about it--she was angry!
CHARLES SYLVESTER (_furiously_).
And very rightly too. You have no business here--why did you come?
ROSALINE.
Mr. Tempenny brought me.
CHARLES SYLVESTER.
What? Are _you_ his model? This is really too bad. Where is he?
ROSALINE (_pointing R_.).
He has gone in there.
CHARLES SYLVESTER.
What for? (_Calling_.) Tempenny! I say, Tempenny, I want you!
(_Enter_ REMBRANDT TEMPENNY _very nervously_.)
REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.
Ah--er--good morning, dear boy. What weather, eh? What weather we"re having to be sure. (_Aside to_ ROSALINE.) You malicious, base-hearted--(_Shakes his fist at her_.) Oh!
CHARLES SYLVESTER.
Look here, you know, Tempenny, this won"t do. You have no right to bring the girl here. I don"t think it was at all friendly of you. I--I consider it a d.a.m.ned liberty of you in fact.
REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_shrinking_).
I was afraid you would be vexed, but don"t be cross, dear old man; don"t be "put out" about it. (_Trying to laugh_.) There are worse troubles at sea, as they say--worse troubles at sea!
CHARLES SYLVESTER.
(_With rising indignation_.) But I _am_ put out. d.a.m.n the sea--what"s that got to do with it. Mrs. Sylvester has been in and seen her, I understand? You have served me a very shabby trick, Tempenny--I am very sorry about it!
REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.
(_Still trying to laugh it off_.) All comes out in the wash, old chap--all comes out in the wash, I a.s.sure you! (_Slaps him on the shoulder_.)
CHARLES SYLVESTER.
Don"t do that--I don"t like it!
REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_nervously_).
Ha, ha, ha! (_Does it again_.)
CHARLES SYLVESTER (_shouting_).
Don"t!
REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_collapsing_).
All right, I won"t.
ROSALINE (_advancing_).
Charlie!
CHARLES SYLVESTER.
Don"t call me "Charlie"--I don"t like it.
ROSALINE.
Once--
CHARLES SYLVESTER.
Well, then, I don"t like it twice--do you hear! This is all your fault, Tempenny. You have got me into a pretty mess upon my word. My wife won"t believe me, and I shall never hear the end of it.
REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.
And what about mine?
CHARLES SYLVESTER.
Yours?
ROSALINE.
Yes, she has gone to tell her.