You needn’t think I shall put myself out to keep him in the dark. I shall certainly tell him you’ve been here, and exactly how you strike me.
Milly
Of course, you’ll say something nasty like you used to when I was a child. You used to let me ’ave it then, you know.
Pinnie
Ah, well, you’re very different now, when I think what you’ve come from.
Milly
What I’ve come from? Just because you’re stuck in this slum, don’t expect me to stay ’ere! You’ve had to stay in it yourself, so you might speak civilly of it! And pray, what have you come from yourself, and what has he come from? The mysterious Mr. Hyacinth Robinson, whose father was Lord Fredrick and whose mother was—
Pinnie (jumping up)
I’ve nothing to tell you. Leave my shop!
(Hyacinth Robinson, a finely built, young man of about twenty enters unseen by Pinnie, but visible to Millicent.)
Milly
Gracious, Hyacinth Robinson—is that you?
(Pinnie turns around, then immediately, crestfallen, goes to her sewing desk.)
Hyacinth
Were you talking about me just now?
Milly
When I asked where you ‘ad come from? (innocently) That was because we heard you in the ‘all. I suppose you’ve come from your work.
Hyacinth
You used to live in the Place—you were the girl that always wanted to kiss me. Didn’t she live in Lomax Place, Pinnie?
Milly
Do you know what you look like—you look for all the world like a plastered up Frenchman! Don’t he look like a funny little Frenchie, Mrs. Pysnet?
Hyacinth
Have you come back to live in the Place?
Milly
Heaven forbid, that I should ever do that! I must live near the establishment in which I am employed.
Hyacinth
And what establishment is that now? Is it the Cock and Bull, or the Elephant and Castle?
Milly
A pub? Well, you haven’t got the manners of a Frenchie.
Pinnie (under her breath)
Whorehouse more likely!
Milly
I don’t care what a man looks like so long as he knows a lot. That’s the look I like.
Pinnie
Miss ’Enning wouldn’t live in Lomax Place for the world. She thinks it too low.
Hyacinth
So it is, it’s a beastly hole.
Milly
Right you are!
Hyacinth
Don’t you think I know something?
Milly
You? Oh, I don’t care a straw what you know!
Pinnie
I think you had better shut the door.
Hyacinth
Did you come here on purpose to see us?
Milly
I thought I’d just give it a look. I had an engagement not far off. But I wouldn’t have believed anyone who said I’d find you just where I left you.
Pinnie (sourly)
We needed you to look after us!
Hyacinth
Oh, you’re such a success.
Milly
None of your rattling impudence. I’m as good a girl as there is in London. If you were to offer to see me home, I’d tell you I don’t knock about that way with gentlemen.
Hyacinth
I’ll go with you as far as you like.
Milly
Well—all right—but it’s only because I knew you as a baby.
Hyacinth
Pinnie, let’s have some tea.
(Pinnie, mortified, obeys and goes out to get the tea.)
Milly
What a way to treat your mother. Oh—I forgot she ain’t your mother. How stupid I am! I keep forgetting.
Hyacinth
My mother died many years ago; she was an invalid. But Pinnie has been very good to me.
Milly
My mother’s dead, too. She died very suddenly. I daresay you remember her in the Place. But I’ve had no Pinnie.
Hyacinth
You look as if you can take care of yourself.
Milly
Well, I’m very healthy. What became of Mr. Vetch? We used to say that if Miss Pysnet was your mama, Mr. Vetch was your papa. We used to call him Miss Pysnet’s young man.
Hyacinth
He’s her young man still. He’s our best friend. He lives by his fiddle—as he used to. In fact, he got me the place I’m now in.
Milly
I should have thought he would get you a place at his theatre.
Hyacinth
At his theatre? But, I’d be no use in the theatre. I don’t play any instrument.
Milly
I don’t mean in the orchestra, you baby. You’d look very nice in a fancy costume. Is Miss Pysnet some relation? What gave her any rights over you?
Hyacinth (uneasily)
Miss Pysnet’s an old friend
