JACK (_without, at L. H., very loud and angrily_). Hold your tongue! don't answer me! don't be insolent!--there, there! (_Enters hurriedly from L. H._) Wheugh! I'm better now I've let off some of the steam! ha, ha! Poor old Blunt (_stopping suddenly_). Stop, there's nothing to laugh at. I know I was a little bit out of temper--whose fault but his if I was?--with his infernal "first-chop;" but I'd no business to strike the poor fellow, with my foot especially; I ought to be ashamed of myself. _Ought_ to be? I _am!_ Here he comes (_seeing BLUNT, who enters at L. H., looking pale and serious; after a little hesitation JACK walks up to him_). Stephen Blunt, I ask your pardon; there, that's settled; now shake hands (_holds out his hand; BLUNT looks away_). I'm sorry, Blunt, _very_ sorry; would you like to kick _me?_ or shall I kick myself? I'll try if you like! BLUNT. I'd rather you had blown my brains out, captain. If any other man in the world had--had--you know what I mean--I'd have knocked him down. JACK (_quietly_). Then knock _me_ down! BLUNT. As you are _now,_ sir? no! but in a fair stand-up fight I would!--at least I'd try! JACK (_with sudden excitement_). What's that? Stand-up fight? this sort of thing? (_sparring and hitting out_). BLUNT (_with a broad grin_). That's it, sir! If you'd only just let me knock you about for a round or two, I should feel like a man again! JACK (_aside_). I rather like this! I do, by Jove! There's some fun in having one's head punched by one's servant! (_Aloud._) All right, old boy! you shall have satisfaction after your own fashion! Look out for some nice quiet spot, and in ten minutes' time we'll have it out; in the mean time, mum, not a word. [_BLUNT runs out at C., rubbing his hands in high glee._ JACK (_after a pause_). I'd better by half have stopped in China! I can't stop _here!_ I can't look quietly on--probably with my eye bunged up--and see the woman I love married to a Dicky! No, no; I'll pack up at once! (_MRS. TARLETAN and JESSIE have entered R. H. during the above._) MRS. T. (_overhearing_). Pack up? JACK. Yes, aunt. I'm off--good-by! MRS. T. Off? Where--where? JACK. I don't know; somewhere or other--if not there, somewhere else. Good-by! MRS. T. John Pepperpot, you are deceiving me! I want the truth! you hear, sir, the _truth!_ JACK. Do you? then you shall have it! I love Jessie--there! now you've got it! JESSIE (_joyously_). You hear, aunty? He loves me; _me_ whom you are about to sacrifice--to immolate! (_in a tragic tone_). JACK. On the altar of a Chirper! (_in a similar tone_). JESSIE. It's cruel! JACK. Barbarous! JESSIE. Inhuman! JACK. Savage! MRS. T. (_who has been trying to speak_). Will you let me speak? (_To JACK._) You say you love Jessie? JACK. Awfully! MRS. T. Well--unless, indeed, Jessie objects-- JESSIE (_very quietly_). But I don't! MRS. T. In that case, the sooner you get married the better!