MISS B. La, my dear, I like nothing so plebeian; it's taking away one's character to say so. MRS. S. And I faint at the smell of cheese. MIZ. Waiter! WAITER. Yes, sir. MIZ. A decanter of water for the ladies, and butter instead of cheese. BOLT. Exactly!--only a pint of stout. MISS B. Stay! Have you nothing but bread and butter and cheese in the house? BOLT. Have you got any onions? MISS B. Have you no poultry? BOLT. (_Aside._) Poultry! what pretty chickens! WAITER. A couple of fowls are roasting for my master's dinner; however, he will be most happy to let you have them. MISS B. Well, send them up instantly, with a bottle of your best sherry. (_Exit WAITER._)--You know, Steele, your loose sovereigns will cover all expenses. BOLT. (_Whispers._) Here, Bobby, how much have you got? MIZ. Half-a-crown; and you? BOLT. Eighteen-pence! Oh--h--h! that looks very unlike fowls and sherry. MIZ. But you must be so d----d bounceable with your loose sovereigns! MISS B. My dear, wont you sit down?--you must be tired. BOLT. Not in the least (_aside_) except of you. (_Whispers._) I'll tell you what we must do, Bobby,--we'll tell the ladies all; they can't detain us in a public room,--and then we'll---- MIZ. Decamp. The best plan; only you be orator. The ladies look rather fierce. BOLT. A--hem!--you see, ladies--that is, you perceive--ahem!--you must be aware--you cannot be ignorant--ahem! MISS B. My dear Steele, what is the matter? BOLT. (_Aside._) There she goes again, with her "dear Steele."--The fact is---- _Enter WAITER, L. 2 E._ WAITER. I am sorry to intrude, ladies and gentlemen, but have you any objection to a gentleman dining in this room? BOLT. Not in the least!--You may give him our dinner, if your larder is scanty. MISS B. My dear! MIZ. Yes, and the bottle of wine into the bargain. _BOLT and MIZZLE go up._ MRS. S. Hoity toity! Certainly not!--and, Waiter, I hate dining in public; I insist on that screen being put up. WAITER. To be sure. (_Putting up screen so as to divide room in two, then arranging a small table and chair on the side next the door._)--Your fowls are done brown, ladies. MIZ. (_Aside._) Done brown? Yes, and so are we done brown--by Miss Brown, too! _Enter 2nd WAITER and COTTON, L. 2 E._ 2nd WAITER. Here, sir; there is a party the other side of the screen; our inn is so full, sir. COT. No matter; this will do. (_Sits at small table._) Bring up some cold meat directly, and the paper. (_Exeunt both WAITERS, L. 2 E._) MIZ. Stay, I've a thought!--there may be an Irish cousin, or naval officer, there. I'll peep through. (_Looks through crevice of screen._)--Oh-- BOLT. Ladies, what I have to say is---- MIZ. (_Whispers._) Hold your tongue! you don't know who is on the other side. BOLT. No, nor don't care, if it is the devil. MIZ. But it is worse, it's--oh--h--h!--old master, between us and the door! BOLT. Zounds! we are blockaded. Bolt, Bolt, thy courage is out. MRS. S. What is the matter, gentlemen?