Part 17 (2/2)

DIBBS (down, L.). I knew I could get things straight!

Enter MRS. SELWYN and GRACE.

MRS. S. Painful as it is to go into these family matters before _you_, Mr. Tompkins. (Addressing BLITHERS.)

BLITH. I beg your pardon--_Blithers_!

SEL. (coming down C. to MRS. SELWYN). Yes, dear--Blithers--you are mixing things up!

MRS. S. Well, Blithers, if you wish--my husband's conduct last night with this Miss--I do not know her name----

FRED. (Bringing LOTTIE forward). Mrs. Bellamy!

MRS. S. (astonished). Mrs. Bellamy!

SEL. (to MRS. SELWYN). I told you, dear, you were mixing things up!

MRS. S. (to SELWYN). But, Samuel, you confessed to me you met this lady----

SEL. I never saw her in all my life!

FRED. Certainly not _last_ night, for _I_ was with her the whole evening!

BLITH. I can testify to the truth of that!

MRS. S. Are you conspiring to deceive me?

SEL. No, my dear. The fact is, I may have _appeared_ to have been rather in a hobble, but it was all a.s.sumed--all put on, my dear. Every bit of it, and if _you_ don't understand it, I do, and so don't make yourself ridiculous before visitors--but give your consent to the Captain having our little Gracie!

GRACE. Oh! dear papa!

CAPT. K. (to GRACE). Me jewel!

MRS. S. I certainly _don't_ understand it, but I suppose it's all right?

SEL. Perfectly, my dear! It was that stupid Dibbs who was at the bottom of it all to begin with.

DIBBS (indignantly). Me! (Down, L.)

SEL. (winks). Yes! I thought at first of discharging him, but I have decided to give him another chance, and a rise in his wages. (Bringing BLITHERS and CAPTAIN KATSKILL down C., and aside to BLITHERS.) How did _you_ become possessed of my head-gear?

BLITH. Well, as you took mine from Mr. Dobbinson's hat-stand what was I to do?

SEL. (to CAPTAIN KATSKILL). How did the name of Tompkins get into _your_ chimney-pot, Captain?

CAPT. K. It's my _hatter's_ name--not mine!

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