acquaintance.
Jenny.
[Looking at John and suddenly recognising him.]
Well, I never! If that isn't old John Halliwell. I didn't expect to see you. This is a treat.
John.
How d'you do?
Jenny.
What are you doing here?
John.
I've been having a cup of tea with Basil.
Jenny.
[Looking at the tea-things.] D'you always drink out of three cups at once?
John.
My wife has been here—and her sister.
Jenny.
Oh, I see. Fancy your being married. How d'you like it?
John.
All right, thanks.
[Basil pours out a cup of tea, and during the following speeches gives Jenny milk and sugar and cake.
James.
People say it wants a bit of gettin' used to.
John.
Mr. Bush, you're a philosopher.
James.
Well, I will say this for myself, you'd want to get up early in the morning to catch me nappin'. I didn't catch your name.
John.
Halliwell.
James.
'Alliwell?
John.
[Emphasising the H.] Halliwell.
James.
That's what I say—'Alliwell. I knew a fellow in the meat trade called 'Alliwell. Any relation?
John.
I don't think so.
James.
Fine business 'e 'ad too. There's a rare lot of money to be made out of meat.
John.
I dare say.
Jenny.
[To John.] It is a long time since I've seen you. I suppose you've quietened down now you're a married man. You were a hot 'un when you was a bachelor.
James.
[Facetiously.] Don't make 'im blush, Jenny. Accidents will 'appen in the best regulated families. And boys will be boys, as they say in the Bible.
John.
I think I must be off, Basil.
James.
Well, I'll be toddlin' too. I only come in just to say 'ow d'you do to my future brother-in-law. I'm a fellow as likes to be cordial. There's no 'aughtiness about me.
Basil.
[Politely, but not effusively.] Oh; won't you stay and have some tea?
James.
No, thanks. I'm not much of an 'and at tea; I leave that to females. I like something stronger myself.
Jenny.
[Remonstrating.] Jimmie!
Basil.
I have some whisky, Mr. Bush.
James.
Oh, blow the Mister and blow the Bush. Call me Jimmie. I can't stand ceremony. The way I look on it is this. We're both of us gentlemen. Now, mind you, I'm not a fellow to praise myself. But I will say this: I am a gentleman. That's not self-praise, is it?
John.
Dear me, no. Mere statement of fact.
James.
Well, as I was saying, I know I'm a gentleman. It's a thing you can't 'elp, so what's the good of being proud about it? If I meet a chap in a pub, and he invites me to have a drink, I don't ask him if he's a Lord.
Basil.
But you just take it.
James.
Well, you'd do the same yourself, wouldn't you?
Basil.
I dare say. But will you have a drink now?
James.
Oh, bless you, I know what it is to be engaged. I don't want to disturb you canary-birds. Me and 'Alliwell 'll go and have a gargle round the corner. I see you've got a public nice and 'andy. [To John.] I suppose you're not above goin' in there now and again, eh?
Jenny.
[With a laugh.] He came into the "Golden Crown" every day of his life, and chance it!
John.
I'm afraid I'm in a great hurry.
James.
'Ang it all, one's always got time to have a drop of Scotch in this life.
Basil.
[To James, handing him the box.] Well, take a cigar with you.
James.
[Taking and examining one.] If you are so pressing. Villar y Villar.... What do they run you in a hundred?
Basil.
They were given to me, I really don't know what they cost. [He lights a match.] Won't you take the label off?
James.
Not if I know it. I don't smoke a Villar y Villar every day, but when I do, I smoke it with the label on.
Jenny.
[Laughing.] Jimmie, you are a caution!
John.
[Shaking hands with Jenny.] Good-bye and—my best wishes.
Jenny.
Thanks. You didn't expect I'd marry Basil when I used
