SCENE VII.
Reading edition
SCENE VII.
MRS. CHARGELY’S Garden.—At the back of stage a high wall; to the R. 3 E. part of the house, with door and practicable window.—Dark.
Enter BOLT, from back, R.
BOLT. Egad, I’ve succeeded in concealing myself among the statues and the shrubs, &c. I wish that wall was not so devilish high, and that gate not quite so firmly fastened. I wonder where Bobby is.
MIZ. (Still in cloak and bonnet, looking out of window, R. 3 E.) Charley, is that you?
BOLT. Yes; how snug you look, up there!
MIZ. How do you like your day’s pleasure?
BOLT. Amazingly! It is a spicy sort of pleasure—keeps one awake. I told you we should have something to laugh at.
MIZ. Yes, the wrong side of our mouths. If ever I do go out with you again!
Enter CUTAWAY, with ladder, L. U. E. BOLT steps back.
CUT. Fortune favours the bold. This is an unexpected prize—found it in the knife room—and the dear creature at yonder window, she shall descend: then we’ll over the wall.—By-the-by, I wonder what has become of that inefficient representation of myself.—Harriet!
MIZ. Hilloa! you there!
CUT. There she is, beautiful as ever.
BOLT. (Aside.) True,—all cats are alike in the dark.
CUT. Come to the arms of your ever-faithful Cutaway.
MIZ. You make me blush.
CUT. I have a ladder, dearest; will you descend it?
MIZ. I believe you, I will;—Come, look alive!—put it up!
CUT. Her every word inspires confidence.
BOLT. (Aside.) An unconscious auxiliary.
CUTAWAY. (Puts ladder against window, R. 3 E.) Descend, dearest, descend; and take care of the water-butt;—do not, star as you are, set in the ocean. (MIZZLE descends.)—Now let’s away!
MIZ. Stay, my bundle! oh, my bundle!
CUT. What bundle, sweetest?
MIZ. A bundle I have left; so do you bundle up the ladder and get it.
CUT. Your desires are commands, lovely one.—She is hoarse;—caught cold, poor thing. (Ascends ladder and goes in at window.)
BOLT. I say, Bob, what did you send him in there for?
MIZ. Why the cursed officers are breaking open the door. I heard them; so I gave him for a sop—Ha! ha! ha!
BOLT. Ha! ha! ha! poor devil! Now away with the ladder to the garden wall. (MIZZLE plants ladder against wall, L.) Now we’ll ascend, and drop on the other side.
CUT. (At window, R.) Harriet! Harriet, my love! I can find no bundle.
MIZ. Can’t you? then here is one for you. (Takes off cloak and bonnet—wraps bonnet in cloak, and throws them in window.)
CUT. A man! duped—cheated!
BOLT. Up the ladder, Bobby, my boy!
MIZ. Yes, we are off!—The devil take the hindmost—Good by, my own true love.
CUT. (Feeling about.) The ladder, where is the ladder?
(A crash is heard in the house, as of a door breaking.—Officers appear at window.—Exeunt over wall.—The ladies scream.—Scene closes)