Visits and Sketches at Home and Abroad with Tales and Miscellanies Now First Collected Volume III Part 16

Not come back yet! what can keep him, I wonder! (_Takes off her bonnet and shawl._) Well, I must get the dinner ready. (_Pauses, and looks anxious._) But, somehow, I feel not easy in my mind. What could they want with him?--Hark! (_Goes to the door_) No--what a time he is! But suppose they should 'dite him for a nuisance--O me! or send him to the watchhouse--O my poor dear d.i.c.k! I must go and see after him! I must go this very instant moment! (_s.n.a.t.c.hes up her bonnet._) Oh, I hear him now; but how slowly he comes up!

[_Runs to the door, and leads him in._

_Enter d.i.c.k._

MARGERY.

Oh, my dear, dear d.i.c.k, I am so glad you are come at last! But how pale you look! all I don't know how! What's the matter? why don't you speak to me, d.i.c.k, love?

d.i.c.k--(_fanning himself with his hat._)

Let me breathe, wife.

MARGERY.

But what's the matter? where have you been? who did you see? what did they say to you? Come, tell me quick.

d.i.c.k.

Why, Meg, how your tongue does gallop! as if a man could answer twenty questions in a breath.

MARGERY.

Did you see the lady herself? Tell me that.

d.i.c.k--(_looking round the room auspiciously._)

Shut the door first.

MARGERY.

There.

[_Shuts it._

d.i.c.k.

Shut the other.

MARGERY.

The other?--There.

[_Shuts it._

d.i.c.k.

Lock it fast, I say.

MARGERY.

There's no lock; and that you know.

d.i.c.k--(_frightened._)

No lock;--then we shall all be robbed!

MARGERY.

Robbed of what? Sure, there's nothing here for any one to rob! You never took such a thing into your head before.

[_d.i.c.k goes to the door, and tries to fasten it._

MARGERY--(_aside._)

For sartain, he's bewitched--or have they given him something to drink?--or, perhaps, he's ill. (_Very affectionately, and laying her hand on his shoulder._) Are you not well, d.i.c.k, love? Will you go to bed, sweetheart?

d.i.c.k--(_gruffly._)

No. Go to bed in the broad day!--the woman's cracked.

MARGERY--(_whimpering._)

Oh, d.i.c.k, what in the world has come to you?

d.i.c.k.

Nothing--nothing but good, you fool. There--there--don't cry, I tell you.

MARGERY--(_wiping her eyes._)

And did you see the lady?

d.i.c.k.

Ay, I seed her; and a most beautiful lady she is, and she sends her sarvice to you?

MARGERY.

Indeed! lauk-a-daisy! I'm sure I'm much obliged--but what did she say to you?

d.i.c.k.

Oh, she said this, and that, and t'other--a great deal.

MARGERY.

But what, d.i.c.k?