If Only etc. Part 31

GROGGINS.

Well, he'll be in--Wandsworth if he don't part.

MRS. TEMPENNY.

s.h.!.+ talk softly. Your voice will jar upon him.

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_aside_).

Now for it. (_At window_.) One--two--three--I don't like the look of that gla.s.s-house much.

_(Hesitates)._

GROGGINS (_decisively_).

I must come in, marm--out of the way if _you_ please.

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_aside_).

Oh! It's now or never.

(_Jumps out. A tremendous crash of broken gla.s.s is heard_.)

MRS. TEMPENNY (_with a shriek_).

Ah!

GROGGINS (_pus.h.i.+ng her aside_).

What's that? (_Aside_.) Oh, there he is. (_Aloud_.) Here you Mr.

Tempenny, sir, I've a warrant 'ere on a judgment summons.--Suit of Cole the butcher. (_Addressing lay-figure_.) Do you pay up, or come along o'

me?

MRS. TEMPENNY (_at window--aside_).

He's picked himself up--he waves his hand--all is well.

GROGGINS.

Which is it, sir? I allus likes to do business pleasant, only you must make up your mind, you know. Pay up, or lock up--take your choice.

MRS. TEMPENNY.

(_At window. Excitedly aside_.) He disappears--he's lost to view--the danger's past.

GROGGINS.

Well, if you _won't_ speak, you _won't_, of course! I've done my 'umble best to do my dooty affable, and since you're sulky, why--(_Going up to lay-figure_) Mr. Rembrandt Tempenny, I've a warrant for your arrest.

(_He slaps the lay-figure on the shoulder, it collapses with a crash_).

GROGGINS (_falling back in terror_).

Got 'em again, as I'm a sinner!

(MRS. TEMPENNY _runs to_ D.F. _as if to go_. ROSALINE _half opens_ R.D.

_and pops her head out with an e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.i.o.n_.)

_Act drop, quick_.

ACT II.

SCENE:--SYLVESTER'S _Studio_. (_The next day_.) _Doors R. and L. At back cupboard_. TEMPENNY _discovered painting_, ROSALINE _posed_.

ROSALINE.

I'm getting tired.

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.

s.h.!.+ (_goes on working frenziedly_).

ROSALINE.

I say I'm getting tired.

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.

Wait a minute, and you shall rest. There! now you can move if you like.

ROSALINE (_stretching herself_).

Thank goodness. Let us look! (_Looks at canvas_.) Oh!

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.

What do you think of it?

ROSALINE.

Not much.

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.

Ah, that shows your profound ignorance of the School. It promises to be a superb example. (_Contemplates it sideways_.) Exquisite!