Oh! Susannah! Part 25

_(Exit Aunt into bathroom.)_

Aurora. I 'ope we shall see you h'often when were married. You'll always be welcome. She don't know what she's done for 'im. _(at sofa side)_

Andrew. I think it's about time I met my future father-in-law--I shall have two or three things to say to him.

_(Aurora sits on couch and puts her feet up. Andrew sits in Doctor's chair. Enter Waverly, shown in by Tupper.)_

Waverly. Where's Doctor Sheppard? _(L. C.)_ Andrew. Out. I'm waiting to tell him the good news--I say, such a lark!

_(Waverly sits on table.)_

I've told auntie all about the bath business by mistake.

Waverly. By mistake?

Andrew. Yes, I took her for Jack.

Waverly. How could you?

Andrew. She'd got his things on.

Waverly. _(putting his hand over his face)_ Oh, Susannah!

_(Enter Doctor R. I. E., sees Aurora on sofa, and rushes off again, yowling.)_

Andrew. _(to Waverly, neither having seen Aurora on sofa)_ Has he got 'em? Come on, we must tell him the good news.

_(Exeunt Andrew and Waverly after Doctor R. I. E.)_

Aurora. _(alone, fondly)_ My love! Ain't he coy? I like a bashful lover. It's so gentlemanly, _(sits at writing-table)_

_(Enter Tupper excitedly.)_

Tupper. Please, sir--_(sees Aurora. laughs)_ Well, you do look a guy! 'Oiler, boys, 'oiler, 'ere's another guy!

Aurora. You don't know who you're talking to. I shall be your missus soon--I'm going to marry the dear doctor!

Tupper. Oh, don't say that, Aurora! _(cries)_

Aurora. Ah, you ain't the only one as'll cry when they 'ear the news. There's the butcher and the baker and my cousin, in the h'E division, he'll bust! Poor little Tupper, don't cry. Look 'ere, you shall come and kiss me in the vestry, after it's all over--that's more than I'll let the butcher do. Buck up, it'll soon be over--

Tupper _(drying eyes)_ Oh, I forgot, there's a servant come from Grosvenor Road.

Aurora. Tell 'er to wait.

Tupper. But she says the lady's going to have a fit!

Aurora. Tell 'er to wait, we are not to be disturbed.

Tupper. All right! _(aside)_ Oh, ain't she lovely! She looks like an 'eavenly h'angel, now I've lorst 'er for h'ever!

_(Exit Tupper.)_

Aurora. _(picks up letter)_ I'll see to her case myself. It wants a woman in the case. _(Bus.)_ I'll work this business different when I'm boss. I'll get 'im a lot of patients.

_(Enter Plant. Ruby and Pearl.)_

What! Back again! These visits'll 'ave to be paid for. We don't give nothing away heah! _(writes on scribbling block)_ To three consul'ations in one day at a pound a time--and there's three of yer, three three's--that's eleven--kindly part up! _(knocks on table)_

Plant. My good girl, this is not a professional visit We've come to see Miss Sheppard.

Aurora. _(with dignity, sitting at writing table)_ Well, you can't. Auntie's changing 'er clothes--'as she told yer the news?

Plant. What news?

_(Ruby signals to Pearl behind Plant's back.)_

Aurora. _(haughtily)_ A mere trifle! There's goin' to be a weddin' from 'ere very soon.

Pearl. A wedding?

Plant. _(to Ruby and Pearl. rubbing his hands, ready to take Ruby and Pearl over R.)_ What did I tell you?

Aurora. The dear doctor's the 'appy man!

Ruby. And who is--the lady?

Aurora. Ah, how embarra.s.sing! No, you must ask auntie, she'll tell yer.

Plant. _(to girls)_ I told you Miss Sheppard wanted to see you both, _(takes girls R. corner)_ She's going to choose between you.

Pearl. Hadn't Jack better do that? _(nudging Ruby)_

Plant. There's not time!

_(Mrs. O'Hara calling off,)_

Mrs. O'H. _(off)_ H'Aurora!

Aurora. _(putting her hair back)_ Thank goodness, I shan't be at this low game much longer!

_(Enter Mrs. O'Hara.)_

Mrs. O'H. 'Ow dare you dress grander than your missus? Take 'em off, at once, and put on yer cap, then get along h'upstairs and wait on my lady friends. _(slaps her shoulder)_

Aurora. _(aside)_ Oh, when I 'ave servants of my own, won't I give 'em O'Hara!

_(Exeunt Aurora and Mrs. O'Hara L. U. E.)_