Stephen Archer, and Other Tales Part 21

_Th._ Aw're tellin' tho, aw seigh' th' mon goo into this heawse but a feow minutes agoo?

_Col. G._ You've mistaken somebody for him.

_Th._ Well, aw'm beawn to tell tho moore. Twothre days ago, aw seigh mo chylt coom eawt ov this same dur--aw mane th' heawsedur, yon.

_Col. G._ Are you sure of that?

_Th._ Sure as death. Aw seigh her back.

_Col. G._ Her back! Who could be sure of a back?

_Th._ By th' maskins! dosto think I dunnot know mo Mattie's back? I seign her coom eawt o' that dur, aw tell tho!

_Col. G._ Why didn't you speak to her?

_Th._ Aw co'd.

_Col. G._ And she didn't answer?

_Th._ Aw didn't co' leawd. Aw're not willin' to have ony mak ov a din.

_Col. G._ But you followed her surely?

_Th._ Aw did; but aw're noan so good at walkin' as aw wur when aw coom; th' stwons ha' blistered mo fet. An it're the edge o' dark like.

Aw connot seigh weel at neet, wi o' th' lamps; an afoor aw geet oop wi' her, hoo's reawnd th' nook, and gwon fro mo seet.

_Col. G._ There are ten thousands girls in London you might take for your own under such circ.u.mstances--not seeing more than the backs of them.

_Th._ Ten theawsand girls like mo Mattie, saysto?--wi'her greight eighes and her lung yure?--Puh!

_Col. G._ But you've just said you didn't see her face!

_Th._ Dunnot aw know what th' face ov mo chylt be like, beout seein' ov it? Aw'm noan ov a lump-yed. n.o.bory as seigh her once wouldn't know her again.

_Col. G._ (_aside_). He's a lunatic!--I don't see what I can do for you, old fellow.

_Th._ (_rising_). And aw met ha' known it beout axin'! O'reet! Aw're a greight foo'! But aw're beawn to coom in: aw lung'd to goo through th'

same dur wi' mo Mattie. Good day, sir. It be like maister, like mon!

G.o.d's curse upon o' sich! (_Turns his back. After a moment turns again_.) Noa. Aw winnot say that; for mo Mattie's sake aw winnot say that. G.o.d forgie you! (_going by the house_).

_Col. G._ This way, please! (_opening the street-door_).

_Th._ Aw see. Aw'm not to have a chance ov seein' oather Mattie or th'

mon. _Exit_.

Col. G. _resumes his boot absently. Re-enter_ THOMAS, _shaking his fist_.

_Th._ But aw tell tho, aw'll stick to th' place day and neet, aw wull.

Aw wull. Aw wull.

_Col. G._ Come back to-morrow.

_Th._ Coom back, saysto? Aw'll not goo away (_growing fierce_). Wilto gie mo mo Mattie? Aw'm noan beawn to ston here so mich lunger. Wilto gie mo mo Mattie?

_Col. G._ I cannot give you what I haven't got.

_Th._ Aw'll break thi yed, thou villain! (_threatening him with his stick_). Eh, Mattie! Mattie! to loe sich a mon's maister more'n me! I would dey fur thee, Mattie. _Exit_.

_Col. G._ It's all a mistake, of course. There are plenty of young men--but my Arthur's none of such. I cannot believe it of him. The daughter! If I could find _her, she_ would settle the question. (_It begins to grow dark_.) I must help the old man to find her. He's sure to come back. Arthur does _not_ look the least like it.

But--(_polishes vigorously_). I can_not_ get this boot to look like a gentleman's. I wish I had taken a lesson or two first. I'll get hold of a s...o...b..ack, and make him come for a morning or two. No, he does _not_ look like it. There he comes. (_Goes on polishing_.)

_Enter_ GER.

_Ger._ William!

_Col. G._ (_turning_). Yes, sir.

_Ger._ Light the gas. Any one called?

_Col. G._ Yes, sir.

_Ger._ Who?

_Col. G._ I don't know, sir. (_Lighting the gas_.)

_Ger._ You should have asked his name. (_Stands before the clay, contemplating it_.)

_Col. G._ I'm sorry I forgot, sir. It was only an old man from the country--after his daughter, he said.

_Ger._ Came to offer his daughter, or himself perhaps. (_Begins to work at the figure_.)

_Col. G._ (_watching him stealthily_). He looked a respectable old party--from Lancashire, he said.

_Ger._ I dare say. You will have many such callers. Take the address.

Models, you know.

_Col. G._ If he calls again, sir?

_Ger._ Ask him to leave his address, I say.

_Col. G._ But he told me you knew her.

_Ger._ Possibly. I had a good many models before I left. But it's of no consequence; I don't want any at present.

_Col. G._ He seemed in a great way, sir--and swore. I couldn't make him out.

_Ger._ Ah! hm!