Any time you like. Oh--and I say--let me know when you preach, and I'll get some of our fellows to give their patronage!
[_Closing the door after him with a bang._] Another moment--another moment--and I fear I should have been violently rude to him, a guest under my roof! [_He walks up to the fireplace and stands looking into the fire, as DARBEY. having forgotten his violin, returns to the room._] Oh, Blore, now understand me, if that Mr. Darbey ever again presumes to present himself at the Deanery I will not see him!
[_With his violin in his hand, haughtily._] I've come back for my violin.
[_Horrified._] Oh, Mr. Darbey! Hear an explanation, Mr. Darbey!
[_He runs out after DARBEY. GEORGIANA and SIR TRISTRAM enter by the window._
Don't be down, Tris, my boy; cheer up, lad, he'll be fit yet, bar a chill! Aha! he knew me, he knew me when I kissed his dear old nose!
He'd be a fool of a horse if he hadn't felt deuced flattered at that.
He's no fool. He knows he's in the Deanery too. Did you see him cast up his eyes and lay his ears back when I led him in?
Oh, George, George, it's such a pity about his tail!
[_Cheerily._] Not it. You watch his head to-morrow--that'll come in first.
[_HATCHAM, a groom, looks in at the window._
I jest run round to tell you that Dandy is a feedin' as steady as a baby with a bottle.
Not me, mum. And I've got hold of the constable 'ere, Mr. Topping--he's going to sit up with me, for company's sake.
Yes, Sir Tristram. [_Coming forward mysteriously._] Why, bless you and the lady, sir--supposin' the fire at the "Swan" warn't no accident!
Supposin' it were inciderism--and supposin' our 'orse was the hobject.
That's why I ain't goin' to watch single-handed.
[_SIR TRISTRAM and GEORGIANA pace up and down excitedly._
Right, Sir. There's only one mortal fear I've got about our Dandy.
He 'asn't found out about 'is tail yet, sir, and when he does it'll fret him, as sure as my name's Bob Hatcham.
Keep the stable pitch dark--he mayn't notice it.
Not to-night, sir, but he's a proud 'orse and what'll he think of 'isself on the 'ill to-morrow? You and me and the lady, sir--it 'ud be different with us, but how's our Dandy to hide his bereavement?
[_HATCHAM goes out of the window with SIR TRISTRAM as THE DEAN enters, followed by BLORE, who carries a lighted lantern._