Part 11 (1/2)

FRED. No! He was a druggist--and my father----

BLITH. Stop! I have had enough pedigree for one day.

FRED. You have a right to be wrathful! I know I should have told you all this before--but, sir, you are not inhuman, and remember I loved her so!

BLITH. (aside). He must be mad like the servant! Perhaps this is an asylum! (Aloud, uneasily.) Come! Come! My good young man! Be calm! Are you often like this?

FRED. Always! And always shall be until you forgive me!

Oh! sir, we will take a pretty country cottage, and you shall live with us--we will watch over your declining years! And our babes unborn will circle round your bedside--and close your venerable eyelids when you leave us!

BLITH. (irritated). No, thank you! You will please request your babes to let my eyelids alone!

FRED. It can't be! Say--Oh! say you forgive me and open your withered arms to embrace the most repentant of sons-in-law.

BLITH. Sons-in-law!

FRED. Don't be angry with poor little Lottie!

BLITH. Angry with my daughter? What for?

FRED. Why--for what she's done! Don't you know all about it?

BLITH. No!

FRED. They told me you _did_!

BLITH. Look here, young man--to prevent more mixing we had better begin at the beginning--I am Bos...o...b..ithers--Who the deuce are you?

FRED. Whom should I be but Frederick Bellamy?

BLITH. (aside). Lottie's best glove customer. (Aloud.) Well, what do you want?

FRED. Your consent, it is too late to ask--but your forgiveness you cannot refuse----

BLITH. I can--and I do! Lottie is engaged to Captain Cornelius Katskill.

FRED. Engaged! She _can't_ be!

BLITH. I tell you she is! For she loves him to distraction!

He confessed it!

FRED (in pa.s.sion). If he said that he is a----

BLITH. (stopping him). Hus.h.!.+

FRED. So he _is_, if he dared say that! He shall withdraw his words or I will kill him. (Crossing, L.)

BLITH. Kill my future son-in-law! I forbid you!