SALLY. Unless the _dark_ one should happen to come in first--but you can't expect me to say any more for sixpence. SKRUFF. Then the sixpence will have to stay where it was! (_Pockets the coin._) SALLY. All right! dare say you want it a deal more than I do! (_Going--stops, and bobbing a courtesy._) Please sir, which did you say was the taters?--ha! ha! [_Runs off into house._ SKRUFF (_looking after her_). There goes another candidate for penal servitude! This sort of thing won't do. I _must_ make up my mind one way or the other, so I'll make a bold stroke for Hetty and chance it! (_During this speech HETTY has entered at L.--stops and listens._) HETTY. So, so! Then I must prepare myself for an equally bold resistance (_coming forward humming a tune_). SKRUFF (_seeing her_). Ah, Miss Hetty! HETTY. Ah, Mr. Skruff! SKRUFF. Do you know, Miss Hetty, I'm quite pleased with this little place of your uncle's!--there's something about it--a sort of a kind of a--umph! HETTY. Yes. I have noticed myself that there's something about it--a sort of a kind of a--(_imitating SKRUFF_). SKRUFF. In short, it's the sort of place one could live in altogether--I shouldn't mind it _myself_--but not _alone!_ (_with a tender look at HETTY_). HETTY (_with pretended sentimentality_). Of course not, Mr. Skruff! "Who would inhabit this bleak world alone?" You would require a companion--with beauty--amiability--and-- SKRUFF (_sentimentally_). Ten thousand pounds! (_Aside._) Neatly suggested! HETTY. Ten thousand pounds! Why, that's a fortune, Mr. Samuel! SKRUFF (_aside_). _Mr. Samuel!_ She's coming round! By Jove! I'll risk it--neck or nothing, here goes! (_suddenly seizing HETTY'S hand._) If _you_ had ten thousand pounds, Miss Hetty--do you think you could be happy with a gentleman like me? (_very sentimentally_). HETTY (_aside_). A positive declaration! (_hiding her face in her handkerchief to conceal her laughter--then trying to release her hand_). Release my hand!--I beg!--I implore! If Captain Taunton should see us-- SKRUFF (_aside_). Captain Taunton!--the fellow that old Gritty was talking about!--after Hetty, is he? That's a sure sign the money lies in this quarter! (_Aloud._) Ah, Miss Hetty--these military gents seldom come to any good!--I should strongly advise you to give him up! I should indeed!--if he's a _gentleman,_ he won't make any fuss about it! HETTY. Ah, Mr. Skruff, you don't know the captain--his very quietest moments are characterized by the most savage ferocity. Tell me (_seizing his arm_), can you shoot? SKRUFF. Well, I used to be considered quite a crack shot at the bull's-eye! HETTY. At the Wimbledon meeting? SKRUFF. No! at the end of a barrow--for nuts! HETTY. That's nothing! The captain can snuff a candle with a bullet at thirty paces! SKRUFF. Can he? but doesn't he find that rather an inconvenient substitute for snuffers? TAUNT. (_heard without at R._). Good-bye, then, for the present.