Oh! Susannah! Part 17

_(Bell rings.)_

I say, the proper way is to leave it in a h'envelope on this 'ere table. Don't forget, 'cos there 'ere clothes ain't paid for yet, and if they ain't to-day, they're a-comin' orf.

Aunt. You rude boy! Go! _(sits in grandfather's chair)_

Tupper. _(aside)_ Well, it ain't _my_ fault if 'e don't get on! I says all I can!

_(Exit Tupper R. I. E. above table.)_

_(Enter Ruby and Pearl. shown in by Aurora--they don't see Aunt.)_

Aurora. I'll tell the Doctor. _(goes towards bath-room door)_

_(Splas.h.i.+ng heard.)_

He's very busy--but----

_(Louder splas.h.i.+ng.)_

Ruby. Pray don't disturb him.

_(Bell rings.)_

Pearl. We don't want to see him _just_ yet. We'll wait

_(Exit Aurora.)_

That stupid cabman never suspected anything. He called him "Mum."

_(Both laugh.)_

Ruby. Let's bring her in now, before Jack comes in.

_(Enter Aurora. followed by Flo.)_

Aurora. I'll tell the Doctor. _(goes to bath room)_ E's _very_ busy now--but----

_(Splas.h.i.+ng heard.)_

Flora. _(to Aurora)_ Not yet--I want to speak to these ladies first.

Ruby. _(backing down stage astonished, to Pearl)_ Miss Garden!

What does she want to come for--and spoil our fun?

Pearl. _(to Flo)_ You said you had a headache, and were going to lie down.

Ruby. _(to Flo)_ Yes, that was only an excuse for coming to see Jack.

Aunt. _(aside)_ She calls him Jack!

Aurora. _(aside)_ I must 'ear this--it's all for 'im. _(stays at back, pretending to tidy)_

Flora. It was no excuse at all. I was pulling the blind down to darken the room, when I saw you two horrid things crossing the road to this house--when you _said_ you were going shopping. That was only an excuse to come and flirt with _my_ Jack!

Aunt. _(aside)_ Oh, he's _her_ Jack, is he?

Flora. And I followed you, though my head's splitting, for I love him with all my heart, and I won't let _anyone_ come between us.

_(Aurora gasps.)_

Ruby. You brazen girl, and you're married to his greatest friend!

Flora. I'm not! _(descends on Ruby)_

Ruby. You know you are! Pa said so!

Flora. Did he? Then he basely betrayed my husband's sacred confidence, _(crosses back again)_

Pearl. _(with sarcasm)_ Your husband's sacred confidence! If you're really a respectable married woman, my dear Miss Garden, instead of coming here to slander my father, you'd better go back and lie down.

Flora. And leave you alone with my Jack? No, thank you! What are _you_, I'd like to know? Two horrid fast girls who ran away with two young men only this morning, and had to be locked up.

Aunt. _(aside)_ And _these_ are my nephew's _friends!_

Flora. And you picked the lock with a hairpin, and came here all alone to flirt with my Jack!

Ruby. _Your_ Jack? How dare you! _(crosses to Flo and comes back)_ He's my Jack!

_(Aurora gasps again.)_

Aunt. _(aside)_ Oh, he's her Jack now! It gets worse and worse!

Pearl. To be strictly accurate, Doctor Sheppard is our Jack!

Aunt. _(aside)_ Our Jack! This is too much!

_(Aurora gasps louder.)_

Flora. What do you mean?

Pearl. It is my father's wish that one of us should marry him.

Aurora. _(screams)_ Oh, 'Evvings! They're going to marry my Jack!

_(coming down--falls on her knees facing audience C.)_

Aunt. _(aside)_ Her Jack! That's four of them! They all love Jack!

Flora. _(to Aurora)_ Your Jack!