Deb. Oh, we’d rather walk, thank you--you would rather walk, wouldn’t you, aunt?
Mrs. R. Oh, I’ve made up my mind for a walk.
Deb. Yes, we would both rather walk. Will you give your arm to aunty, Mr. Gussett? (_Guss. crosses to c._) And be very careful of her at the crossings, because she’s rather nervous, and so am I.
Deb. (_r.c. handing the basket to Guss._) You won’t mind carrying the basket, will you, Mr. Gussett, because it’s so heavy? (_He takes it bewildered and helpless._)
(_As Guss., Deb. and Mrs. R. reach door c., enter Allen and Clara l. upper e._)
Deb. Down Regent street, and up--Piccadilly, I think you call it. Good-bye.
Clara. (_Comes l. laughing._) I should like to be there to see the Hon. Tom Gussett at the crossings.
Allen. (_Half amused, half cross._) Ah, her be a madcap, her be, that girl. What makes thee so anxious that I should join the company?
Clara. (_Sitting l. on sofa, Allen stands by her, behind sofa, leaning over._) Why, don’t you see, poor papa could be secretary if you joined. They would let you nominate him, and we should be so glad to be earning something--(_very low_)--and we are so poor. (_Laying her hand on him._) Do join, Allen, for my sake.
Allen. (_Yielding--back of sofa._) Ah, thee don’t know how hard thee makes it for me to say no.
Clara. Then don’t say it--it would make me so happy. (_Looking up at him._)
Clara. (_Laying her hand as if unwittingly on his._)
And I should think you--(_drooping her head._) Ah! I’d better not say what I should think you.
Allen. Ah, well, lass, if you wish it, I will then.
Allen. Yes--if it will make thee happy I will. And now let’s talk about yourself. (_Sits l. next to Clara._) Thee is the company I most wants to join. How have thee been getting on?
Clara. “Oh, dear” means very bad. Debts. (_With assumed bewilderment._) Awful!
Clara. Oh, all sorts--tradespeople, you know, and all that, and then I thought I could win a little by betting--(_Allen rises_)--and put it all right--and I’ve been and lost. Oh dear!
Allen. (_Vexed, goes c._) I should ha’ thought there wur enough fools among us men trying to win money that way.
Clara. I am naughty, I know--but papa leaves everything to me, and I get so frightened when I see the debts mounting up and nothing to meet them, and I’ve no one to advise me. (_Crosses l._)