Stephen Archer, and Other Tales Part 38

_Mat_. What was he like? Do tell me, Bill.

_Bill_. A long-legged rig'lar swell, with a gold chain, and a cane with a hivory 'andle.

_Sus_. He's a bad man, Bill, and Mattie can't abide him. If you tell him where she is, she'll never speak to you again.

_Mat_. Oh, Susan! what _shall_ I do? Don't bring him here, Bill. I shall have to run away again; and I can't, for we owe a week's rent.

_Sus_. There, Bill!

_Bill_. Don't you be afeard, Mattie. He shan't touch you. Nor the old one neither.

_Mat_. There wasn't an old man with him?--not an old man with a long stick?

_Bill_. Not with _him_. Daddy was on his own hook?

_Mat_. It must have been my father, Susan. (_Sinks back on her chair_.)

_Sus_. 'Tain't the least likely.--There, Bill! I always said you was no good! You've killed her.

_Bill_. Mattie! Mattie! I didn't tell him where you was.

_Mat_. (_reviving_). Run and fetch him, Bill--there's a dear! Oh! how proud I've been! If mother did say a hard word, she didn't mean it--not for long. Run, Bill, run and fetch him.

_Bill_. Mattie, I was a fetchin' of him, but he wouldn't trust me. And didn't he cut up crusty, and collar me tight! He's a game old c.o.c.k--he is, Mattie.

_Mat_. (_getting up and pacing about the room_). Oh, Susan! my heart'll break. To think he's somewhere near and I can't get to him! Oh my side!

_Don't_ you know where he is, Bill?

_Bill_. He's someveres about, and blow me if I don't, find him!--a respectable old party in a white pinny, an' 'peared as if he'd go on a walkin' till he walked hisself up staudin'. A scrumptious old party!

_Mat_. Had he a stick, Bill?

_Bill_. Yes--a k.n.o.bby stick--leastways a stick wi' k.n.o.bs all over it.

_Mat_. That's him, Susan!

_Bill_. I could swear to the stick. I was too near gittin' at the taste on it not to know it again.

_Mat_. When was it you saw him, Bill?

_Bill_. Yesterday, Mattie--jest arter you give me the tart. I sawr him again this mornin', but he wouldn't place no confidence in me.

_Mat_. Oh dear! Why didn't you come straight to me, Bill?

_Bill_. If I'd only ha' known as you wanted him! But that was sech a _un_likely thing! It's werry perwokin'! I uses my judgment, an' puts my hoof in it! I _am_ sorry, Mattie. But I didn't know no better (_crying_).

_Mat_. Don't cry, Bill. You'll find him for me yet--won't you?

_Bill_. I'm off this indentical minute. But you see--

_Sus_. There! there!--now you mizzle. _I_ don't want no fathers here--goodness knows; but the poor girl's took a fancy to hers, and she'll die if she don't get him. Run now--there's a good boy! (_Exit_ BILL.) You 'ain't forgotten who's a comin', Mattie?

_Mat_. No, indeed.

_Sus_. Well, I hope she'll be civil, or I'll just give her a bit of my mind.

_Mat_. Not enough to change hers, I'm afraid. That sort of thing never does any good.

_Sus_. And am I to go a twiddlin' of my thumbs, and sayin' _yes, ma'am_, an' _no, ma'am_? Not if I knows it, Matilda!

_Mat_. You will only make her the more positive in her ill opinion of us.

_Sus_. An' what's that to me?

_Mat_. Well, I don't like to be thought a thief. Besides, Mrs. Clifford has been kind to us.

_Sus_. She's paid us for work done; so has old Nathan.

_Mat_. Did old Nathan ever give you a gla.s.s of wine when you took home his slops?

_Sus_. Oh! that don't cost much; and besides, she takes it out in kingdom-come.

_Mat_. You're unfair, Susan.

_Sus_. Well, it's little fairness I get.

_Mat_. And to set that right you're unfair yourself! What you call speaking your mind, is as cheap, and as nasty, as the worst shoddy old Nathan ever got gobble-st.i.tched into coats and trousers.

_Sus_. Very well, Miss Matilda! (_rising and s.n.a.t.c.hing her bonnet_). The sooner we part the better! You stick by your fine friends! I don't care _that_ for them! (_snapping her fingers_)--and you may tell 'em so! I can make a livin' without them or you either. Goodness gracious knows it ain't much of a livin' I've made sin' I come across _you_, Miss! _Exit_.

_Mat_ (_trying to rise_). Susan! Susan! (_Lays her head on the table_).

_A tap at the door, and enter_ MRS. CLIFFORD, _with_ JAMES _behind_.

MATTIE _rises_.

_Mrs. C._ Wait on the landing, James.

_James_. Yes, ma'am.

_Exit_ JAMES, _leaving the door a little ajar_.

_Mrs. C._ Well, Miss Pearson! (_Mattie offers a chair_.) No, thank you.

That person is still with you, I see!

_Mat_. Indeed, ma'am, she's an honest girl.

_Mrs. C._ She is a low creature, and capable of anything. I advise you to get rid of her.

_Mat_. Was she rude on the stair, ma'am?