McNaughten Tell me, frankly, what do you think?
Spruce To be honest with you, I didn't find many perfections.
Spruce (aside) What an additional embarrassment. One of our creditors is bearing down on us. It's the old clothes merchant who is paying us a visit.
Bronlow (greeting McNaughten) My humble duties. I learned this morning of your return, sir. I have come to be the first to welcome you to England. We were all worried about you. Extremely worried, I may say. In my establishment, everybody loves you, me, my daughter, my wife--we all tremble with fear that something might happen to you.
McNaughten Such good souls to love me without having seen me! I never would have believed it.
Bronlow We owe it to you, sir. And for very good reason. You've been a friend of our house for a very long time.
McNaughten (to Spruce, low) Who is this man?
Spruce (low) He's--he's a visionary. A type of lunatic--with a pleasant character (making it up as he goes along, and becoming more and more inspired) --who believes everyone he meets owes him money. It's his folly to greet everyone he meets and present them with a promissory note--and to demand payment. I am surprised that he hasn't paid you the compliment already. (Aside) I think I did that rather well.
McNaughten His madness is novel and rare, assuredly.
Spruce (low, to McNaughten) It happens all the time in this city. If you stay here long enough, he may not be the only one you meet.
Bronlow I am delighted to see you in such good health. More than you can imagine. Here's a little bill you ran up before you left. I am sure you won't quibble about paying it.
Spruce (triumphantly) What did I tell you!
Bronlow Because you were away so long, I was obliged to sue out a judgement against you.
McNaughten A personal judgement against me!
Bronlow But, kindly creditor that I am--I differ extremely from process servers whose suits and writs give people headaches--I present the bill myself--
McNaughten You're truly very good and honest. What might be your name?
McNaughten Let me be hanged if I know it at all!
Spruce (aside to Bronlow) Are you unable to see the illness he's suffering from?
Spruce He's suffering from amnesia and cannot recall a thing. Neither what he's done nor the people he's seen. Talking to him about the past is not only useless but crazy. His name itself, his very own name, he sometimes forgets!