_
[_Enter_ ERMYNTRUDE.
ERMYNTRUDE: Father! The mice have eaten the cheese.
SLADDER: Ah! The public will---- O! (_He has suddenly seen_
HIPPANTHIGH).
HIPPANTHIGH (_solemnly_): What new wickedness is this, Mr. Sladder?
(_All stand silent._) Good-bye, Mr. Sladder.
[_He goes to the door, passing_ ERMYNTRUDE. _He looks at her and sighs
as he goes. He passes_ MRS. SLADDER _near the door, and bows in
silence._
[_Exit._
ERMYNTRUDE: What have you been saying to Mr. Hippanthigh, father?
SLADDER: Saying! He's been doing all the saying. He doesn't let you do
much saying, does Hippanthigh.
ERMYNTRUDE: But, father. What did he come to see you about?
SLADDER: He came to call your poor old father all kinds of bad names, he
did. It seems your old father is a wicked fellow, Ermyntrude.
ERMYNTRUDE: O, father, I'm sure he never meant it.
[HIPPANTHIGH _goes by the window with a mournful face._ ERMYNTRUDE _runs
to the window and watches him till he is out of sight. She quietly waves
her hand to_ HIPPANTHIGH, _unseen by her father._
SLADDER: O, he meant it all right. He meant it. I'm sorry for that
bishop of his that he quarrels with, if he lets him have it the way he
went for your poor old father. O, dear me; dear me.
ERMYNTRUDE: I don't think he quarrels with him, father.
Pages:
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78