Next Door Neighbours Part 4

BLUNTLY.

Hush, Mr. Blackman--if you speak so loud, you will have our company in the next house hear you.

BLACKMAN.

And if they did, do you think it would spoil their dancing? No, Mr.

Bluntly.--And in that respect, I am a person of fas.h.i.+on.--I never suffer any distress to interfere with my enjoyments.

ELEANOR. [_Coming to him._ Dear sir, have but patience a little while longer.--Indeed, I hope you will lose nothing.

BLACKMAN.

I _won't_ lose any thing. [_Going._

ELEANOR. [_Following him._ Sir, I would speak a single word to you, if you will be so good as to hear me?

BLUNTLY.

Ay, stay and hear her.

ELEANOR. [_Looking at_ BLUNTLY.

But I wish to speak to him by ourselves.

BLUNTLY.

Then I'll withdraw.

BLACKMAN.

What have you to say? [_In anger._

BLUNTLY.

Hear her, Mr. Blackman--or may none of her s.e.x ever listen to you.

[_Exit._

BLACKMAN.

If it is only to entreat me to let you continue here, I am gone in an instant.----Come, speak quickly, for I have no time to lose.--Come, speak, speak.

ELEANOR.

But are you resolved to have no pity? You know in what a helpless situation we are--and the deplorable state of my poor father.

[_Weeping._

BLACKMAN.

Ay, I thought what you had to say--farewel, farewel.

ELEANOR. [_Laying hold of him._ Oh! do not plunge us into more distress than we can bear; but open your heart to compa.s.sion.

BLACKMAN.

I can't----'tis a thing I never did in my life.

[_Going, he meets_ BLUNTLY, _who stops him_.

BLUNTLY.

Well, have you granted her request?

BLACKMAN.

I would do a great deal to oblige you, Mr. Bluntly--and if you will only give your word for the trifle of rent owing, why, I am not so hard-hearted but I will suffer her to stay.

BLUNTLY.

Well, well,--I will give my word.

BLACKMAN.

But remember, it is not to be put down to your master's account, but to your own.--I am not to give credit.

ELEANOR.

Nor am I to lay my brother under an obligation of this nature. (_To_ BLUNTLY) I thank you for your offer, sir, but I cannot accept it.

BLACKMAN. [_In extreme anger._ What do you mean by that?

BLUNTLY.

Perhaps she is right.

ELEANOR.

My brother would resent my acceptance of a favour from a stranger.

BLACKMAN.

Your brother resent! A poor man resent! Did you ever hear of any body's regarding a poor man's resentment?

ELEANOR.

No--nor a poor woman's prayers.

BLACKMAN.

Yes, I will regard your prayers, if you will suffer this gentleman to be your friend.

ELEANOR.

Any acquaintance of your's, Mr. Blackman, I must distrust.

BLACKMAN.

Do you hear with what contempt she treats us both?

BLUNTLY.

But perhaps she is right--at least, in treating one of us so, I am sure she is--and I will forgive her wronging the one, for the sake of her doing justice to the other.

_Enter_ HENRY: _he starts at seeing_ BLACKMAN _and_ BLUNTLY.

HENRY.

Who are these?

BLACKMAN.

"Who are these?" Did you ever hear such impertinence? (_Going up to him_) Pray who are you, sir?

HENRY.

I am a man.