Page images
PDF
EPUB

Tyke. They were reckoned so; I did not much fancy them myself.

Mr. F. And they said a voyage would save you?
Tyke. To a certainty.

Mr. F. You must have been transported at the

news.

Tyke. I was.

Mr. F. What was your disorder?

Tyke. A galloping consumption.

Mr. F. Has it cured you? (Offering a pinch of snuff.) Tyke. I don't know; I think I feel some of my old symptoms (Takes the box)-This is a very pretty box -I've lost mine.

Mr. F. Do me the honour to use that till- -(Apart) -If he would but keep it! (TYKE puts it in his pocket.) He has-My dear sir, you have doubtless considerable interest with Lord Avondale ?

Tyke. Why, I believe he would not much like to offend me.

Mr. F. Lucky fellow! (Apart.) My name, sir, is Ferment; by and by I shall be introduced to the peer. You know business-a word thrown in by you would prevent my being thrown into the wrong box-eh? (TYKE winks and nods.) I apprehend you.

Tyke. You apprehend me, do you? (Alarmed.) Mr. F. That is, I conceive-I understand-ah, sir, you don't know me.

Tyke. No, I don't, and you don't know me.

Mr. F. Yes, I do; you are a generous, disinterested gentleman-I can see what others can't.

Tyke. Yes, you can.

Enter LORD AVONDALE unobserved by FERMENT, L.

Ld. A. Ah! whom have we here? (Apart.)

Mr. F. As for the peer, you'll see how I'll manage him. I'll worm into his secrets. I say, which is the weak side-where is he ticklish?

Tyke. Ticklish!—I'm sure I never tried.

Mr. F. Never mind; I know-between ourselvessee the whole man as plain as if he stood before me. (LORD AVONDALE has placed himself close to FERMENT'S chair.)

Tyke. Why, for that matter, so do I.

Mr. F. I'll soon find the right place to tickle him. [Turns round, sees LORD AVONDALE at his elbow, who eyes him with severity-FERMENT attempts to speak, but cannot-LORD AVONDALE advances -FERMENT escapes R.

Ld. A. Worm into my secrets!-What does he mean? Who is he?

Tyke. (R.) He calls himself Ferment.

Ld. A. I shall remember him.

Tyke. He gave me this box to speak a good word for him like he seems but a silly bad sort of chap, I think. Ld. A. At present he is not worth a thought, for I have received information that alarms-distracts me. Come near-that boy (what a question for a parent!) does he survive?

Tyke. I don't know.

Ld. A. Not know?
Tyke. No.

Ld. A. Where did you leave him?

Tyke. Where did I leave him? Why-comie, come, talk of something else. (Seems disturbed.)

Ld. A. Impossible !-Have you to human being ever told from whom you received that child?

[blocks in formation]

Tyke. Had a father! Be quiet, be quiet.

(Walks about greatly agitated.)

Ld. A. By the name of Him who indignantly looks

down on us, tell me-

Tyke. (Striking his forehead.) Say no more about that, and you shall hear all. Yes, I had a father, and when he heard of my disgrace, the old man walked, wi' heavy heart, I warrant, all the way tid' gaol to see me; and he prayed up to heaven for me (Pointing, bur not daring to look up), just the same as if I had still been the pride of his heart.

(Speaks with difficulty, and sighs heavily.)

Ld. A. Proceed.

Tyke. Presently.

Ld. A. Did you entrust the child to his care?
Tyke. I did.

Ld. A. Do not pause-you rack me.

Tyke. Rack you!-well, you shall hear the end on't. -I meant to tell father all about the child; but, when parting came, old man could not speak, and I could not speak-well, they put me on board a ship, and I saw father kneeling on the shore with the child in his

arms

Ld. A. Go on.

Tyke. "Tis soon said (Collecting his fortitude). When the signal-gun for sailing was fired, I saw my old father drop down dead-and somebody took up child and carried it away. I felt a kind of dizziness; my eyes flashed fire, the blood gushed out of my mouth -I saw no more. (Sinks exhausted into chair, L.) Ld. A. Horrible -What! record a father's death

without a tear?

Tyke. Tear! Do you think a villain who has a father's death to answer for can cry? No, no; I feel a pack of dogs worrying my heart, and my eyes on fire-but I can't cry. (A vacant stare of horror.) Ld. A. And is this desolation my work?-O, repent! repent!

Tyke. (Starting up.) For what? is not father dead? an't I a thief?-cursed - hated-hunted ?- -Why should I be afraid of the Devil? Don't I feel him here? My mouth's parched-

Ld. A. Within is wine,

t

Tyke. Brandy! brandy!

Ld. A. Compose yourself-follow me-(Crosses L.) -you want sleep.

Tyke. Sleep! ha! ha! under the sod I may.

[Points down, and groans heavily. Exit, following LORD AVONdale, l.

Inside of Cottage.—Table, and a candle burning on it.OLD MAN seated R., looking on

sitting, L.

a purse.-TYKE

O. Man. Pray, sir, who is that generous youth? Tyke. Why, he's a kind of a foreman like to Lord Avondale, my friend.

O. Man. Are you the friend of that worthy nobleman?

Tyke. Yes; between ourselves-I have him under my thumb; but I say that out of confidence-you understand. That's a smartish purse you've got there; but, I tell you what, I don't think it's very safe, just

now.

O. Man. Indeed, sir! You alarm me!

Tyke. I tell you what—I'll take care of this for you. (Takes the purse.)

O. Man. Well, sir, you are very kind. You live at the castle?

[blocks in formation]

O. Man. Then, perhaps, you could aid a petition I have presented to his lordship-my name is

Tyke. Well, well, let's hear your name.

O. Man. Robert Tyke.

Tyke.

Eh!-what-speak!-no, don't!

O. Man. Robert Tyke!

Tyke. (Trembling violently, rushes to the table, brings down the candle, looks at the OLD MAN, dashes candle and purse on the ground, and tears his hair in agony.) 0, villain!-villain !

O. Man. What's the matter?
Tyke. Don't you know me?

Tyke. (Striking his forehead.) Say no more about that, and you shall hear all. Yes, I had a father, and when he heard of my disgrace, the old man walked, wi' heavy heart, I warrant, all the way tid' gaol to see me; and he prayed up to heaven for me (Pointing, but not daring to look up), just the same as if I had still been the pride of his heart.

(Speaks with difficulty, and sighs heavily.)

Ld. A. Proceed.

Tyke. Presently.

Ld. A. Did you entrust the child to his care?
Tyke. I did.

Ld. A. Do not pause-you rack me.

Tyke. Rack you !—well, you shall hear the end on't. -I meant to tell father all about the child; but, when parting came, old man could not speak, and I could not speak-well, they put me on board a ship, and I saw father kneeling on the shore with the child in his

arms

Ld. A. Go on.

Tyke. "Tis soon said (Collecting his fortitude). When the signal-gun for sailing was fired, I saw my old father drop down dead-and somebody took up child and carried it away. I felt a kind of dizziness; my eyes flashed fire, the blood gushed out of my mouth -I saw no more. (Sinks exhausted into chair, L.)

Ld. A. Horrible !-What! record a father's death without a tear?

Tyke. Tear! Do you think a villain who has a father's death to answer for can cry? No, no; I feel a pack of dogs worrying my heart, and my eyes on fire-but I can't cry. (A vacant stare of horror.)

Ld. A. And is this desolation my work?-O, repent! repent!

Tyke. (Starting up.) For what? is not father dead? an't I a thief?-cursed - hated-hunted ?

should I be afraid of the Devil?

here? My mouth's parched-

Ld. A. Within is wine,

-Why

Don't I feel him

« PreviousContinue »