SKRUFF. Turn over? What! at your time of life! You couldn't have done it! GRITTY (_reading letter_). "My brother has just returned to town, and I have got a check for the amount we require, so that the confidence of our kind old friend, Mr. Gritty, will not be abused after all." Bravo! I say, Samuel, ain't you glad to hear this, eh? (_slapping SKRUFF on the back_). SKRUFF. Intensely! (_Aside._) I wish I was well out of it! GRITTY (_to TAUNTON and MALLINGFORD_). So you don't owe a penny? TAUNT. Not one farthing. GRITTY. Then I apologize for my unjust suspicions--although I should like to know what you young fellows could want with one thousand pounds. FLOR. Nothing very serious, uncle. HETTY. Merely a commission which these gentlemen have undertaken for Florence and me. GRITTY. For _you?_ FLOR. Yes; the purchase of the meadow behind the orchard, which you have always been so anxious to possess. HETTY. To be our joint gift out of our fortune, uncle, when I came of age. GRITTY. Bless their affectionate little hearts! (_kissing FLORENCE and HETTY_). Doesn't this warm one up, eh, Sammy? SKRUFF. Y-e-s--I do feel _warmish!_ (_Aside._) I'm in a raging fever! (_Aloud._) Then I suppose, Mr. Gritty, there need be no further concealment as to which of the two (_pointing to FLORENCE and HETTY_) is the lucky heiress. (_Aside._) It's as well to know. GRITTY. That's all settled long ago--the ten thousand pounds will be divided equally between them. SKRUFF. Oh! (_Aside._) Well, after all, five thousand pounds less, that idiotic meadow is worth having; and I am tolerably secure in the affections of both heiresses--I'm pretty sure of getting one. (_Beckoning aside to TAUNTON._) I believe, sir, I am correct in coming to the conclusion that your affections are fixed on the younger of Mr. Gritty's nieces, Miss Hetty? TAUNT. Sir! (_indignantly_). SKRUFF. Now don't fly out in that way--it's perfectly immaterial to me--you can have your choice--nothing can be fairer than that! TAUNT. Before I reply to _your_ question, Mr.--Mr.-- SKRUFF. Skruff. TAUNT. Mr. Skruff--perhaps you'll be good enough to answer mine--how did you come to open a letter addressed to another? SKRUFF. How did I open it? In the usual way, I assure you. TAUNT. For which I have half a mind to give you a sound horsewhipping! SKRUFF. My dear sir, as long as you have only _half_ a mind, and _keep_ to it, you may threaten me as much as you think proper. Besides, sir, as I flatter myself that Miss Florence honors me with her partiality--(_bowing to FLORENCE_). FLOR. Excuse me, Mr. Skruff! Flattered by your proposal, but compelled to decline (_courtesying very low and giving her hand to TAUNTON_). SKRUFF (_aside_). That's no go. (_Aloud._) How silly of me, to be sure! Of course, when I said Miss _Florence_ I meant Miss _Hetty_ (_about to advance_). MALLING. (_meeting him_). Pardon me, Mr. Skruff! I have a prior claim (_holding out his hand to HETTY_). Dear Hetty!