MAR. I will talk! He says I'm too rough to mix up with his sort, and that he can't bring 'em here or take me amongst them till I'm polished up; but I'm afraid I shall take so much polishing that I shall be worn out before I'm as bright as he wants me to be. BLEN. I trust not, Madam. SIR W. My dear, will you go into your---- MAR. Not just yet--if I talk a little more to the gentleman he'll get used to me, and won't notice my grammar. And I'm not going to stand mumchance and try to talk that horrid gibberish you've been wanting to teach me, when I've got a good English tongue of my own. Leave me alone, Billy, or I'll set Growler at you. Please don't mind us, Sir (_to BLENHEIM_), man and wife, you know, when in company often have a few snaps at one another on the sly, and, as it's nobody's business but their own, why, of course you don't know what we're snapping about, do you? BLEN. Certainly not, my lady. MAR. Of course! I suppose _you_'ve been educated, haven't you, Sir? BLEN. Your husband and I were at college together. MAR. I know what you mean--you were schoolfellows. Well, I dare say you're very glad to see one another. I know I should be very glad to see my cousin Joe--we were schoolfellows, too--used to go to Old Mother Tickle's, at the first house in the village, close to the duck pond. Oh, many and many's the time I've pushed him into it--up to his knees! Oh lord! it was so _bong-bong_--that's a bit of French--do you understand it, Sir? SIR W. (_who has crossed behind to BLENHEIM_) Don't you, don't you pity me? BLEN. I think her charming--it's natural gaiety of heart, nothing more. SIR W. No, no, you're pleased to compliment. MAR. (_comes between them_) Hallo! you're whispering! where's your manners, whispering before a lady? Is that your education, my dear? SIR W. I stand corrected. MAR. Corrected? why, I haven't touched you--though you deserve to catch toko, that you do. SIR W. Well, my dear friend, I shall expect you to dine with us to-day. MAR. Ah, do! come and take pot luck! SIR W. Lady Evergreen, I implore you! MAR. If he knows my meaning what does it matter? You'll come, won't you? Oh, do! and bring some of the sojers with you--I like sojers! What are you, a sharpshooter, or a--what d'ye call 'em? BLEN. In the infantry, your ladyship. MAR. Infant--infantry! Oh! what, young 'uns in arms? SIR W. No, no, my dear! MAR. I know, bless you! but I like what I used to see in the country--the--the yeo-ho---- No, yeo-ho's sailors--the yeomanry, that's it! I like them best--such red jackets with yellow insides, and a thing on their heads like a tin pot with a large fox's brush pulled over it. Oh, didn't they look prime! SIR W. Oh good gracious! oh good heavens! (_stamps about in agony_) MAR. Oh! look at my Billy dancing! I never saw him so full of fun before.