one doesn't see above once in one's life, there's no saying. Bud. Zounds, Davy! your stupidity's enough to drive one out of one's senses; and, may the devil fetch ine. if Davy. [Putting his hand before BUDSTOCK's mouth.] Hush Who knows but he may be taking you at your word, and making a ghost of you, as he has of the old steward? for I'll be hanged if I don't think it's him as is haunting us. You know, when he was alive Bud. Silence! Attend to your work, and don't pester me with any more of your balderdash ! Davy. Balderdash! Humph! the old story! How would you like it, when you're telling a story that's rather-that's one of the-that sticks in one's-I say, how would you like it if I was to cry, Balderdash ?— But I don't care. I didn't mean to say any thing about it; but now I'll tell you. However, you must promise me not to say any thing to Flora. Poor soul! it would frighten her to death. [With great mystery.] Last night, you know, you set me to watch for the fox Bud. Well. Davy. Well there I was, [pointing] close to the greenhouse-door-and, just as the clock struck twelve, I heard a noise behind me, Thinks I to myself, now I have you so round I turns, with my gun up to my shoulder,-and-what do you think I saw ? Bud. What? why the fox, to be sure. · 6 Davy. Was it?-I wish you'd been there, instead of me, that's all. As soon as I turned round, a figure, in the shape of a man, whisked past me like lightning, and knocked the gun out of my hand. With that plucked up courage, and said, says I, What do you want?' and it answered, in a hollow voice, for all the world like the old steward's, Not you'-and, just at the same moment, something like a hand, but as cold as ice, gave me a slap on the cheek; and then I got a full view of him, and saw him grow bigger and bigger, till he was almost as high as one of our pear-trees, with a mouth like a man-trap, and two great flaming eyes, as large as two full-grown sun-flowers; and, just as I was a going to speak to him again, he went bang through the wall of the greenhouse, and vanished in such a flash of fire, that I was almost choked with the smell of the brimstone. There! what do you think of that? Why you might as well take me for a fox. Bud. You're a devilish deal more like a goose.— Why, you lazy rascal, you fell asleep, I suppose, and all you have been telling me was your dream. Davy. Was it? Oh, very well. If you come and take such a nap to-night, most likely, you'll see. Bud. Hush! Here comes Flora. [FLORA enters, L. S. E., carrying a small basket, covered with a napkin, and crosses towards the Greenhouse.] Hey day! What is she going to do with that basket? [He calls.] Flora! Flora. [Aside.] Oh heavens ! My father! What can I say? "Bud. "Flora. DUET.-BUDSTOCK and FLORA. "BUDSTOCK. "Say, Flora, my dear, "Why look you so flurried and shy? "But lift up your eyes, and reply. "FLORA [Averting her face.] "They suspect me, 'tis clear! "How shall I dissemble, "Or lift up my eyes to reply? Say, Flora, my dear, &c. They suspect me, 'tis clear, &c." Bud. Well, Flora, my love, where was you going? Flora. [Confused.] Going, father? I was not going any where--I only-that is, I-in crossing the gar den Davy. Oh! I know how it is. Poor soul! As sure as my name's Davy Dibble,, she's seen the ghost. Bud. [Aside to DAVY.] Curse your jabber! [To FLORA.] Well-in crossing the garden Flora. Yes, father-in crossing the garden—I—I thought I heard you and Davy at high words-and so -I came to-to try to make peace between you. [Fondly.] I declare, it's quite a shame of Davy. He's always vexing you. Davy. What, me? Bud. Vexing me! His folly enough to vex a saint. But tell cessity was there for that basket? in it? and cowardice are me, Flora, what neWhat have you got Flora. In the-in the basket? Oh! you know, father, you desired me to set a trap for the fox-and this-this is to bait it with. [She attempts to go. Bud. Ah! you're a thoughtful girl! But stay-I don't like you to set the trap, for fear of your hurting yourself. Here, give it to me. [He raises the napkin, and looks into the basket.] Hollo! What have we here?-A loaf, a roasted fowl, and a bottle of ale!Why, you silly girl, are you mad? One would think you were going to bait a trap for an alderman, instead of a fox. Carry them into the house again immediately. Flora. Yes, father. [Aside, taking up the basket.] I must watch for another opportunity. [She attempts to go. Bud. Stop: give it to me, and I'll bait the trap myself. Egad, I'll e'en make a sacrifice of half the fowl, and pick the rest for my supper. Flora. [Aside.] Adieu, then, to poor Frederick's dinner! Bud. [To FLORA.] Go and get the key of the greenhouse. The trap hangs up behind the orange-trees. Flora. The key, father?-I don't know where it is. Bud. You don't know where it is? Then go and look till you find it. Flora. I have looked, father. I wanted it this morning, and could not find it all over the house. Most likely Davy has got it. Davy. Ay, me again. I'll be hanged, miss Flora, if any body wouldn't think you and I were man and wife already, for you do nothing but find fault with me from morning to night: and, if any thing happens to be lost, I'm sure to bear the blame. B Flora. There you see! One cannot speak without putting him out of humour. Oh! what a head! Davy, I wish you'd leave my head alone. you'll never alter it for the better. I'm sure Bud. [To DAYY.] What do you stand grumbling there for? Go, break a pane of glass, and open the door on the inside. Flora. [Aside.] Heaven forbid ! Davy. What, me? After what I told you about last night? Don't you believe it. Bud. Come out of the way, then, you overgrown calf, and let me do it myself. [He pushes DAVY aside, and crosses towards the Greenhouse.-FLORA follows him, and holds him back.] Flora. [Anxiously] No, father-stay-perhapsperhaps, the fox is there now, and may do you a mischief. People sav that, when closely beset, they are as fierce as tigers. Bud. [Pressing forward.] Pshaw! nonsense! Flora. [Still detaining him.] Don't, father. For. my sake, at least, if you insist upon going, take your gun in your hand. Bud. Egad, well thought of! Run and fetch it. Flora. I fetch it? I would not touch fire-arms for the world. Think of the dreadful accidents we so often hear of. Bud. Zounds, why you're all alike, I think. Wait for me, then, and I'll go and get it myself. [Going. Flora. [Aside.] That gives me more time than he's aware of. Bud. [Returning.] What did you say? [Exit BUDSTOCK, L. Davy. [Aside.] I've a good mind to try to make it up with her. I know she's affronted. Flora. [Aside.] How shall I get rid of him? To DAVY.] Davy! Davy. [Aside.] Come, she speaks first: it's all right. Flora. Have you got nothing to do? Davy. I can't say as I have, just now,-ánd so→→ Flora. You intend to stay here? Davy. To be sure I do. Flora. [Aside] Tiresome wretch! Davy. Why, you don't seem to like it Flora. Of course I don't: when you ought to be as sisting my father. Davy. Assisting him! Lord bless you-[Aside.] I've a great mind to tell her. [To FLORA, mysteriously.] Between you and I, I don't think it is a fox. And, if it is, it won't be either uncle or me as will catch him. Flora. [Anxiously.] What do you mean? Davy. Oh! 1 know! I've got a scheme in my head; and, before this day's over, we'll see who's wrong, and who's right. Flora. [Aside.] No time must be lost. [To Davy.] Right, Davy, right! Away, and put your scheme in execution immediately. Davy. Come, that's a good one. How do you know what my scheme is ? Flora. 'Tis quite unnecessary to ask. You have such a fertile brain, that it cannot be otherwise than good. There! take my word for it, and go. Davy. Well, but, if you won't be in such a hurry, I'll tell you all about it. Flora. No, no: I won't trouble you. Think how much time you're losing. Davy. [Archly.] Oh! I know! you think there's some catch in it.-No, upon my soul. Flora. [Aside.] Plague on his chattering! What will become of Frederick? Davy. Now you shall hear.-You know young Lord Richland, our new landlord, as is lately come to live at the castle? Well, I've just seen him and his gamekeeper shooting close to the outside of our garden. Flora. [Impatiently.] Well, what's that to me ? Davy. Lord, what, don't you see my scheme now? If this is a fox, you know, he must be in our grounds; for he can't jump over the wall every night. So, as his lordship has got lots of dogs with him, I'll go and ask him to bring 'em in, and either rout the fox out of his, hiding-place, or convince uncle, that I'm not quite such a fool as he takes me for. [Crosses to R. Flora. [Aside.] Excellent! I can then seek an interview with his lordship, and beg of him to pardon Frederick. Davy. Well what do you think of it? and To FLORA.] |