Part 48 (1/2)

[_Mrs Jellybags, who has been listening attentively, interrupts Mr Seedy in great agitation._

_Jel._ Will you be pleased to read that part over again?

_Seedy._ Certainly, ma'am. ”I leave the whole of my wardrobe, and also my silver watch, with the key and seal hanging to it.

[_Mrs Jellybags screams, and falls back in a swoon on her chair--no one a.s.sists her._

”And having thus provided for all my relations, I do hereby devise the rest of my property to the said Solomon Lazarus and Hezekiah Flint, to have and to hold for the building and endowment of an hospital for diseases of the heart, lights, liver, and spleen, as set off by the provisions in the schedule annexed to my will as part and codicil to it.”

_Seedy._ Would the relations like me to read the provisions?

_Omnes._ No! no! no!

(_Mr Seedy is about to fold up the papers._)

_Gum._ I beg your pardon, sir, but is there no other codicil?

_Seedy._ I beg your pardon, Mr Gumarabic, I recollect now there is one relative to you.

_Gum._ (_nods his head._) I thought so.

(_Seedy reads._)

”And whereas I consider that my apothecary, Mr Haustus Gumarabic, hath sent in much unnecessary physic, during my long illness--it is my earnest request that my executors will not fail to tax his bill.”

_Gum._ (_rises and comes forward._) Tax my bill!--well that is odd, very odd! I may as well go and look after my patients. [_Exit._

(_James and William come forward._)

_James._ I say, Bill, how are you off for a suit of mourning?

_Will._ Thanky for nothing, Jem. If the old gentleman don't go to heaven until I put it on, he will be in a very bad way. Come along, it's no use staying here.

(_John and Thomas come forward._)

_John._ I say, Tom, how are you off for nineteen pounds nineteen and six? Heh!

_Thos._ Let's toss and see which shall have both legacies. Here goes--heads or tails?

_John._ Woman for ever.

_Thos._ You've won, so there's an end of not only my expectations but realities. Come along, Mrs Jellybags must be anxious to look over her wardrobe.

_John._ Yes, and also the silver watch and the key and seal hanging to it. Good-bye, Jemmy! Ha! ha!

[_Exeunt, laughing._

_Clem._ For shame, John. (_Turns to Edward._) My dear Edward, do not appear so downcast. I acknowledge that I am myself much mortified and disappointed--but we must submit to circ.u.mstances. What did I tell you before this will was read?--that nothing could alter my feelings towards you, did I not?

_Edw._ (_with indifference._) Yes.