Part 17 (1/2)

DIBBS. Oh! So the old cuckoo ain't Tompkins at all!

SEL. (hat in hand). Isn't this yours? (Crosses to BLITHERS.)

BLITH. Emphatically--No!

SEL. Then it wasn't _you_ I--(making gesture of fighting) last night?

BLITH. No!

SEL. (threateningly). Then what the devil do you mean by allowing me to apologize.

BLITH. How could I help it?

SEL. _You_ have got _my_ hat, though!

BLITH. I've been here with it three or four times. I'm glad to get rid of it! (SELWYN s.n.a.t.c.hes it, and goes up leaving other hat in his hand.)

CAPT. K. (to BLITHERS). Sir, I made a formal request of you, this morning.

BLITH. Stop! _That's_ my hat! (Taking hat quickly from CAPT. KATSKILL'S hand.)

CAPT. K. Your's? Then it was _you_ who gave me the ”oner?”

BLITH. Not that I am aware of, my good young man!

SEL. (aside). Last night seems to have been very pugilistic.

CAPT. K. I was standing outside my club, after giving a farewell supper to some bachelor friends, when my hat was rudely knocked off!

BLITH. Not by _me_, sir, I a.s.sure you.

DIBBS (aside). The mixture as before! They want _me_ to help 'em again! (Taking hat that SELWYN gave to BLITHERS.) This is _your_ hat, I think, Captain?

CAPT. K. Yes, how did you get it, you spalpeen?

DIBBS. Well, sir, to tell the truth it wasn't this gent (pointing to BLITHERS) who boxed you, but _this_ one! (Pointing to SELWYN.)

SEL. (aside). Oh! That d.a.m.ned boy will be the death of me!

DIBBS (aside to SELWYN). All right, sir. The milingtary gent's in love with Miss Grace, so you are safe!

SEL. Is he? Then my life may be spared!

CAPT. K. (threateningly). So, sir, it was you!

SEL. Yes! But we will not resume our fistic encounter--remember, I am your future father-in-law! (Aside.) He may as well have Grace now that's Fred's got another flame!

CAPT. K. The Katskills of Kilkenny _never_ bear malice!--Your hand!

SEL. Don't mention it! (They go up, C.)