University of Virginia Library

III.

Dame Dimity's cottage again. The box-iron and a bank-note for a hundred pounds on the table.
Dame Dimity.
Oh, if we could but keep this hundred pound,
A substitute for Frederick might be found!

Cissy.
And after that there would be plenty more,
To set us up in life, with stock and store,
And you could come and live with us, and—oh,
It would be nice! And yet the note must go!

[Weeps.
Dame.
Who would have thought that in that stupid place
A bank-note would be hidden?

Cissy.
Hunks's ways
Are not like other people's. He forgot
Where he had hid the note, as like as not.

Dame.
Perhaps he bought the box-iron, and never
Looked into it.

Cissy.
Oh, he is far too clever.

Dame.
But after all, you know, such things might be.
May we not keep the money?

Cissy.
Let us see—

Enter Hunks hastily, with Faith.
Hunks.
Where is my box-iron, Dame Dimity?
People who borrow should return with speed.
Where is my box-iron?—they should indeed—
I want my box-iron. That hundred pound!
Where did you get it? Fairly, I'll be bound.

[Ironically.
Whisper.
Speak truth.

Dame
(starting and stiffening up).
In your box-iron it was found.

Hunks
(jumping for joy).
In my box-iron? Give it me! And you
May have the box-iron, for speaking true.
[Laughter without.
What are you laughing at?

All.
We did not laugh.

[Cissy bursts into tears.
Hunks.
What are you crying for, you little calf?
Is this a time to cry when I have earned
A hundred pounds, with scarce a finger turned?

Dame.
She wants some money to buy off our Fred,
My son, with whom she one day thought to wed.

[Crying.
Hunks.
Oh, ah! Well, keep the box-iron—you may—
And take in ironing; and day by day
You can save up the money—

[Laughter without. Hunks starts.
Cissy.
But in the meantime, sir, my Fred—

Dame.
My Fred—

Cissy.
May very likely wounded be, or dead.

Hunks.
Pooh, pooh, you women look so far ahead.

Whisper.
Give up the note, old miser.

Hunks
(starting).
What was that?
Somebody spoke to me.

Cissy.
Perhaps, the cat—

Hunks.
It was no cat; it was—

[Shaking.
Whisper.
Give up the note.

Hunks
(looking back over his shoulder—a short pause).
Well! the box-iron will be worth a groat,
So give me that, and—take the hundred pound,
And I'll be off.

[Movements of surprise and thanks. Confusion. The door is flung open, and enter Fred.
Dame., Cissy.
What! Fred back, safe and sound!

Fred.
Yes, Cis, Yes, mammy. The fellows found they had
Too many, and so, by lot, let off your lad.

[Embraces all round, except as to Hunks.
Hunks.
Ha, ha! Then give me back my hundred pound.

Dame.
Well, we are happy enough.

Faith.
That I'll be bound!

Hunks.
You do not want it now.

Whisper.
Give up the note.

Hunks
(starting surlily).
Well, if I must, I must. A groat's a groat.
Come, box-iron! Here, once again you see
How everybody gets the best of me.
[Looks out at the door shuddering.
Ugh! it is dark.

Faith.
Oh, sir, the light
I brought is at your service quite—
My lantern. I will go with you,
And light you home, if that will do.

Hunks
(aside).
Perhaps upon the road I may
That diamond ring recover, hey?
Come on, then, with your lantern!

Faith.
Ay;
Good night, friends!

Fred.
On the wedding-day,
I hope we all shall meet in joy.

Cissy.
Pray hold your tongue, you saucy boy.

[Exeunt Faith and Hunks.
Dame.
Faith Fairlight is a curious maid.

Cissy.
Yes, yes; she never seems afraid.

Fred.
Not even of old Hunks—ho! ho!

Cissy.
Nothing will happen to her that's bad.
But what a strange day we have had!
The ironing. Do the ironing.

[Imitating the whisper.
Dame.
True!

Fred.
What has the ironing to do
With all this luck to me and you?

Dame.
Oh, we will tell you by-and-by.

Cissy.
But mother first a song shall try.

Dame.
My old cracked voice! you giddy thing!

Fred.
A song, a song!

Cissy.
Yes, you shall sing.

The Dame's Song.