Well, I"ll be toddlin" too. I only come in just to say "ow d"you do to my future brother-in-law. I"m a fellow as likes to be cordial. There"s no "aughtiness about me.
BASIL.
[_Politely, but not effusively._] Oh; won"t you stay and have some tea?
JAMES.
No, thanks. I"m not much of an "and at tea; I leave that to females. I like something stronger myself.
JENNY.
[_Remonstrating._] Jimmie!
BASIL.
I have some whisky, Mr. Bush.
JAMES.
Oh, blow the Mister and blow the Bush. Call me Jimmie. I can"t stand ceremony. The way I look on it is this. We"re both of us gentlemen. Now, mind you, I"m not a fellow to praise myself. But I will say this: I am a gentleman. That"s not self-praise, is it?
JOHN.
Dear me, no. Mere statement of fact.
JAMES.
Well, as I was saying, I know I"m a gentleman. It"s a thing you can"t "elp, so what"s the good of being proud about it? If I meet a chap in a pub, and he invites me to have a drink, I don"t ask him if he"s a Lord.
BASIL.
But you just take it.
JAMES.
Well, you"d do the same yourself, wouldn"t you?
BASIL.
I dare say. But will you have a drink now?
JAMES.
Oh, bless you, I know what it is to be engaged. I don"t want to disturb you canary-birds. Me and "Alliwell "ll go and have a gargle round the corner. I see you"ve got a public nice and "andy. [_To_ JOHN.] I suppose you"re not above goin" in there now and again, eh?
JENNY.
[_With a laugh._] He came into the "Golden Crown" every day of his life, and chance it!
JOHN.
I"m afraid I"m in a great hurry.
JAMES.
"Ang it all, one"s always got time to have a drop of Scotch in this life.
BASIL.
[_To_ JAMES, _handing him the box._] Well, take a cigar with you.
JAMES.
[_Taking and examining one._] If you are so pressing. Villar y Villar.... What do they run you in a hundred?
BASIL.
They were given to me, I really don"t know what they cost. [_He lights a match._] Won"t you take the label off?
JAMES.
Not if I know it. I don"t smoke a Villar y Villar every day, but when I do, I smoke it with the label on.
JENNY.
[_Laughing._] Jimmie, you are a caution!
JOHN.
[_Shaking hands with_ JENNY.] Good-bye and--my best wishes.
JENNY.
Thanks. You didn"t expect I"d marry Basil when I used to mix c.o.c.ktails for you in the "Golden Crown," did you?
JAMES.
Come on, "Alliwell. Don"t stop there ga.s.sing. You"ll only disturb the canary-birds. So long, old tart, see you later. Ta-ta, Basil, old man.
BASIL.
Good-bye--Jimmie.
[JOHN HALLIWELL _and_ JAMES _go out_, JENNY _goes up to_ BASIL _impulsively._
JENNY.
Kiss me. [_He kisses her, smiling._] There! Now I can sit down quietly and talk. How d"you like my brother?