HETTY (_starting, and pretending alarm_). Ah! his voice--my absence has excited his suspicions--should he find us together we are lost! Break the painful intelligence to him gently--but be firm, Samuel, be firm! (_Aside._) Now to tell Florence. [_Runs into house L._ SKRUFF. On second thoughts, perhaps I'd better not break the painful intelligence to him on our first interview, it would hardly be delicate. Besides, I really shouldn't like to commit an act of violence on Gritty's premises--it wouldn't be the right thing to do! Here he comes! I'll pretend not to notice him! (_Seats himself at back at L., and taking out a newspaper, which he pretends to read._) _Enter CAPTAIN TAUNTON at back from R._ TAUNT. (_not seeing SKRUFF_). Yes! There is no doubt about it, it certainly _was_ risking a good deal to raise that one thousand pounds; but who could resist Florence's entreaties. One thing is quite certain--Mr. Gritty must know nothing about it. SKRUFF (_watching him over his newspaper_). Old Gritty must know nothing about _what?_ TAUNT. The old gentleman has such a horror of accommodation-bills! SKRUFF. Oh! oh! accommodation-bills, eh? That's your little game, my fine fellow, is it? I've got him safe enough now, and can split upon him at any time. I wonder what he's reading? (_Seeing TAUNTON, rises and comes cautiously down behind him to look over his shoulder at the letter--stumbles._) TAUNT. (_looking round--aside_). The tailor! (_Aloud._) Perhaps you would like to read my private letters, sir? SKRUFF. I should, very much-- I mean no, of course not. TAUNT. What were you going to say, Mr.--Stuff? SKRUFF. Skruff! (_Aside._) I wish Miss Hetty had broken the "painful intelligence" to him herself. I don't relish the idea of being "snuffed out" at thirty paces. Never mind, I'll risk it. (_Aloud._) Captain Taunton, I believe? TAUNT. Well, sir, what then? (_angrily_). SKRUFF. Now don't be jumping down my throat because I've an unpleasant duty to perform. In a word--I deeply regret to inform you-- TAUNT. (_fiercely_). _You,_ sir? SKRUFF. I mean. Miss Halliday begs me to inform you-- TAUNT. (_impetuously_). Go on! SKRUFF. I'm going to go on, sir. TAUNT. Miss Halliday begs you to inform me--what? SKRUFF. That when she accepted you as a friend of the family she had no intention whatever of accepting you as a _husband_--and _now,_ she _thinks_--I mean, _imagines_--I should say, _believes,_ she's made a slight mistake, because she finds she likes somebody else _better._ TAUNT. What! (_seizing SKRUFF by the collar and shaking him._) SKRUFF. It's no use giving way to your "savage ferocity," sir; if you don't believe me, you'd better go and ask Miss Hetty yourself. TAUNT. (_leaving hold of SKRUFF_). _Hetty!_ Did you say Hetty? (_Aside._) One of her practical jokes evidently. Ha! ha! ha! (_Pulls out his handkerchief and uses it to conceal his laughter, and at the same time drops the letter on stage._)