plays [39]
AUSTIN. Well, well, child! you are better here. In my time - to
which you have referred - I knew the lady. Does she wear well?
ANTHONY. I beg your pardon, sir!
AUSTIN. No offence, child, no offence. She was a very lively
creature. But you neglect your chocolate I see?
ANTHONY. We don't patronise it, Mr. Austin; we haven't for some
years: the service has quite changed since your time. You'd be
surprised.
AUSTIN. Doubtless. I am.
ANTHONY. I assure you, sir, I and Jack Bosbury of the
Fifty-Second -
AUSTIN. The Hampshire Bosburys? -
ANTHONY. I do not know exactly, sir. I believe he is related.
AUSTIN. Or perhaps - I remember a Mr. Bosbury, a cutter of
coats. I have the vanity to believe I formed his business.
ANTHONY. I - I hope not, sir. But as I was saying, I and this
Jack Bosbury, and the Brummagem Bantam - a very pretty light-
weight, sir - drank seven bottles of Burgundy to the three of us
inside the eighty minutes. Jack, sir, was a little cut; but me
and the Bantam went out and finished the evening on hot gin.
Life, sir, life! Tom Cribb was with us. He spoke of you, too,
Tom did: said you'd given him a wrinkle for his second fight
with the black man. No, sir, I assure you, you're not forgotten.
AUSTIN (BOWS). I am pleased to learn it. In my time, I had an
esteem for Mr. Cribb.
ANTHONY. O come, sir! but your time cannot be said to be over.
AUSTIN. Menteith, you hear?
MENTEITH. Yes, Mr. George.
ANTHONY. The Colonel told me that you liked to shake an elbow.
Your big main, sir, with Lord Wensleydale, is often talked about.
I hope I may have the occasion to sit down with you. I shall
count it an honour, I assure you.
AUSTIN. But would your aunt, my very good friend, approve?
ANTHONY. Why, sir, you do not suppose I am in leading-strings?
AUSTIN. You forget, child: a family must hang together. When I
was young - in my time - I was alone; and what I did concerned
myself. But a youth who has - as I think you have - a family of
ladies to protect, must watch his honour, child, and preserve his
fortune. You have no commands from Sir Frederick?
ANTHONY. None, sir, none.
AUSTIN. Shall I find you this noon upon the Pantiles? . . . I
shall be charmed. Commend me to your aunt and your fair sister.
Menteith?
MENTEITH. Yes, Mr. George. (SHOWS ANTHONY OUT.)
SCENE III
AUSTIN, MENTEITH, RETURNING
AUSTIN. Was I ever like that, Menteith?
MENTEITH. No, Mr. George, you was always a gentleman.
AUSTIN. Youth, my good fellow, youth.
MENTEITH. Quite so, Mr. George.
AUSTIN. Well, Menteith, we cannot make no mend. We cannot play
the jockey with Time. Age is the test: of wine, Menteith, and
men.
MENTEITH. Me and you and the old Hermitage, Mr. George, he-he!
AUSTIN. And the best of these, the Hermitage. But come: we
lose our day. Help me off with this. (MENTEITH TAKES OFF
AUSTIN'S DRESSING-GOWN; AUSTIN PASSES R. TO DRESSING-TABLE, AND
TAKES UP FIRST CRAVAT.)
AUSTIN. Will the hair do, Menteith?
MENTEITH. Never saw it lay better, Mr. George. (AUSTIN PROCEEDS
TO WIND FIRST CRAVAT. A BELL: EXIT MENTEITH. AUSTIN DROPS
FIRST CRAVAT IN BASKET AND TAKES SECOND.)
AUSTIN (WINDING AND SINGING) -
'I'd crowns resign To call her mine, Sweet Lass of Richmond
Hill!'
(SECOND CRAVAT A FAILURE. RE-ENTER MENTEITH WITH CARD.)
Fenwick? of Allonby Shaw? A good family, Menteith, but I don't
know the gentleman. (LAYS DOWN CARD, AND TAKES UP THIRD CRAVAT.)
Send him away with every consideration.
MENTEITH. To be sure, Mr. George. (HE GOES OUT. THIRD CRAVAT A
SUCCESS. RE-ENTER MENTEITH.) He says, Mr. George, that he has
an errand from Miss Musgrave.
AUSTIN (WITH WAISTCOAT). Show him in, Menteith, at once.
(SINGING AND FITTING WAISTCOAT AT GLASS) -
'I'd crowns resign To call her mine, Sweet Lass of Richmond
Hill!'
SCENE IV
AUSTIN, R. TO HIM MENTEITH AND FENWICK
MENTEITH (ANNOUNCING). Mr. Fenwick, Mr. George.
AUSTIN. At the