CRUM. It’s no use my calling him back, my dear--he saw you coming. MRS. M. And now leaves the house again, without saying a word. CRUM. And without his usual “fond embrace before we part!” MRS. M. Yes--but this is neglect--downright neglect--not that it matters to me. CRUM. So I see. (_smiling_) MRS. M. Mr. Mouser can go where he likes, and do what he likes--and so can I. We needn’t interfere with one another in the slightest degree. I shall go to my sister’s. If he chooses to come well and good. If not, I dare say I shall find some one _polite enough_ to see me home! and you may tell him so. (_going_) CRUM. Well, but Anastasia? MRS. M. (_in a loud voice_) You may tell him so. (_goes out L. D. F., slamming door after her_) CRUM. But Anastasia? Stop! Hear me! I’ll follow her--no, for if I do, I shall leave the coast clear for Mouser--confound it. I wish I hadn’t interfered at all. So I’ll find Betsy at once, and marry her off hand to Joseph Harris and the little greengrocer’s shop. (_taking his hat, &c._) _BETSY peeps in L. D. F._ BET. Sir! Sir! Are you alone, Mr. Crummy? CRUM. (R.) You’re the very young woman I wish to see. BET. So are you, sir. CRUM. I see--you’ve given him the slip, eh? BET. Slip, sir! Who, sir? CRUM. Mouser. Betsy, I’m afraid you’ve gone a little too far. BET. (_drawing herself up_) You’ll be good enough to remember, sir, that you are speaking to Betsy Baker? Didn’t you insist on my making Mr. Mouser fall in love with me in downright earnest? CRUM. Yes, yes. BET. And ain’t he in love with me in downright earnest? CRUM. Yes, confound him! BET. Very well, sir. Then I’ll trouble you for the little greengrocer’s shop at the corner of the street. CRUM. Pooh! We’ll talk about that some other time. (_walking about_) BET. No, sir--now! now! (_following him_) I won’t go out of the house, without the little greengrocer’s shop at the corner of the street. I’ve worked hard for it! CRUM. Pshaw! BET. (_stopping_) Very well--then I know what I’ll do--I’ll fall in love with Mouser in downright earnest, too! He’s a very nice little fellow, Mr. Mouser! Where is Mr. Mouser? (_in a loud voice and walking to and fro_) Where’s Mr. Mouser? CRUM. (_following her_) Hush! BET. (_louder still_) I want my Mouser! CRUM. Be quiet; you shall have the shop--but, on this condition--that you don’t see Mouser again. BET. Then you must tell him I can’t come. CRUM. Can’t come, where? BET. Here, in an hour’s time. That’s what I came to tell you about. He left Mrs. Mouser’s veil at our place just now, and, when I opened it there was a letter inside! CRUM. A letter? BET. Yes, sir. CRUM. From Mr. Mouser? BET. Yes, sir, appointing me to meet him here. CRUM. Why, then, the little profligate is really in love with her! And you read the letter? BET. No, sir, I defy anybody to say they ever saw me read anything. So I gave it to one of our girls. CRUM. The devil!