Enter Murcott, with green bag and papers.
Mur I'll do my best, sir. But, oh! do tell them to keep liquor out of my way. I can't keep from it now, try as I will, and I try hard enough, God help me!
Coyle Pshaw! Get out those mortgages and the letters from my London agent. [Murcott takes papers from bag and places then on table. Coyle looks off, R. 1 E.] So; here comes Sir Edward. Go, but be within call. I may want you to witness a signature.
Mur I will sir. [Aside.] I must have brandy, or my hand will not be steady enough to write. [Exit, L. 1 E.]
Sir E Good morning, Coyle, good morning. [With affected ease.] There is a chair, Coyle. [They sit.] So you see those infernal tradespeople are pretty troublesome.
Coyle My agent's letter this morning announces that Walter and Brass have got judgement and execution on their amount for repairing your town house last season. [Refers to papers.] Boquet and Barker announce their intention of taking this same course with the wine account. Handmarth is preparing for a settlement of his heavy demand for the stables. Then there is Temper for pictures and other things and Miss Florence Trenchard's account with Madame Pompon, and--
Sir E Confound it, why harass me with details, these infernal particulars? Have you made out the total?
Coyle Four thousand, eight hundred and thirty pounds, nine shillings and sixpence.
Sir E Well, of course we must find means of settling this extortion.
Coyle I, as your agent, must stoop to detail, you must allow me to repeat, if possible.
Sir E Why, you don't say there will be any difficulty in raising the money?
Coyle What means would you suggest, Sir Edward.
Coyle A foretaste in the interest on the Fanhille & Ellenthrope mortgages, you are aware both are in the arrears, the mortgagees in fact, write here to announce their intentions to foreclose. [Shows papers.]
Sir E Curse your impudence, pay them off.
Sir E Confound it, sir, which of us is the agent? Am I to find you brains for your own business?
Coyle No, Sir Edward, I can furnish the brains, but what I ask of you is to furnish the money.
Sir E There must be money somewhere, I came into possession of one of the finest properties in Hampshire only twenty-six years ago, and now you mean to tell me I cannot raise 4,000 pounds?