SPRONKS. Ever since I've been in it, sir! SKRUFF. Have you indeed?--then of course you know something about Mr. Gritty, eh? SPRONKS. I know he's a downright trump, and has always got a shilling to spare for them as wants it!--_I_ wants one dreadful bad just now! (_going--stops_). Now don't you go and forget--them's the taters--(_going_). SKRUFF. Stop a minute!--there's--twopence for you! (_giving money to SPRONKS'S boy, who turns to go_). Don't be in such a hurry. (_Confidentially._) I dare say you hear a good deal of tattle from the servants, eh? (_patting boy familiarly on the back_)--here's another twopence for you!--now about the money that's coming to the young ladies--do you happen to have heard which of the two is likely to have it? SPRONKS (_looking round mysteriously_). Well! I don't mind telling you all I know! SKRUFF. That's right--here's another twopence for you! Now then (_taking out his note-book_). SPRONKS. Well, sir--I've been making no end of inquiries about it from servants and tradespeople, and at last I've found out-- SKRUFF (_eagerly_). Yes! yes! SPRONKS. That I know just as much about it now as before I began--ha! ha! ha! (_runs up to gate--stops_). Don't go and forget which is the taters! [_Runs out._ SKRUFF. That boy will end his days in penal servitude! _Enter SALLY from house._ SALLY. How late that boy is with the vegetables! SKRUFF. Here they are, Sally--I took 'em in! (_giving SALLY the basket_)--them's the taters! SALLY. Thank'ee sir (_going_). SKRUFF. Stop a minute, Sally! Do you know, I've taken quite a fancy to give you a shilling? (_SALLY hurries back_). (_Aside._) That eagerness to collar the shilling convinces me that sixpence would have been enough! (_Aloud._) Been long in the Gritty family, Sally? SALLY. Ever since I first came, sir--not before. SKRUFF. That's a remarkable fact!--find yourself comfortable here, eh, Sally? SALLY. Nothing much to complain of, sir; twelve pounds a year, everything found--except beer--and every other Sunday! SKRUFF (_aside_). Except beer and every other Sunday! (_Aloud._) And your young ladies, Sally. They treat you kindly, eh? SALLY. Yes, sir. We get on very comfortably, my young Missussesses and me. SKRUFF (_aside._) She gets on very comfortably, her young Missussesses and she. SALLY. They give me their old dresses and does their own hair. SKRUFF. Oh! they does their own hair, does they? Ah! (_with intention_). It's a nice thing, Sally, to come in for a hatful of money, eh? SALLY. Yes, sir. Ever so much nicer than sixpence? SKRUFF. Ah! _Miss Hetty_ will be a fortunate girl, eh? SALLY. Think so, sir? SKRUFF. Unless, indeed, _Miss Florence_ should be the lucky one? Now tell me, if you were a betting man, which color would you bet on? SALLY. Well, I think I should take the _fair_ one for choice! SKRUFF (_aside_). Hetty, evidently.