"In return for all her attention to me during my illness, and her ten
years' service, I leave the whole of my--"
[Mr SEEDY _having come to the bottom of the page lays down the will,
takes out his snuff-box, takes a pinch, blows his nose, snuffs the
candles, and proceeds_.]
"I leave the whole of my wardrobe, for her entire use and disposal; and
also my silver watch with my key and seal hanging to it.
"And having thus provided for--"
[Mrs JELLYBAGS, _who has been listening attentively, interrupts_ Mr
SEEDY _in great agitation_.]
JEL. Will you be pleased to read that part over again?
SEEDY. Certainly, ma'am. "I leave the whole of my wardrobe, and also
my silver watch, with the key and seal hanging to it."
[Mrs JELLYBAGS _screams, and falls back in a swoon on her chair--no one
assists her_.]
"And having thus provided for all my relations, I do hereby devise the
rest of my property to the said Solomon Lazarus and Hezekiah Flint, to
have and to hold for the building and endowment of an hospital for
diseases of the heart, lights, liver, and spleen, as set off by the
provisions in the schedule annexed to my will as part and codicil to
it."
SEEDY. Would the relations like me to read the provisions?
OMNES. No! no! no!
[Mr SEEDY _is about to fold up the papers_.]
GUM. I beg your pardon, sir, but is there no other codicil?
SEEDY. I beg your pardon, Mr Gumarabic, I recollect now there is one
relative to you.
GUM. (_nods his head_.) I thought so.
[SEEDY _reads_.]
"And whereas I consider that my apothecary, Mr Haustus Gumarabic, hath
sent in much unnecessary physic, during my long illness--it is my
earnest request that my executors will not fail to tax his bill."
GUM. (_rises and comes forward_.) Tax my bill!--well that is odd, very
odd! I may as well go and look after my patients. [_Exit_.]
[JAMES _and_ WILLIAM _come forward_.]
JAMES. I say, Bill, how are you off for a suit of mourning?
WILL. Thanky for nothing, Jem. If the old gentleman don't go to heaven
until I put it on, he will be in a very bad way. Come along, it's no
use staying here.
[JOHN _and_ THOMAS _come forward_.]
JOHN. I say, Tom, how are you off for nineteen pounds nineteen and six?
Heh!
THOS. Let's toss and see which shall have both legacies. Here goes--
heads or tails?
JOHN. Woman for ever.
THOS. You've won, so there's an end of not only my expectations but
realities. Come along, Mrs Jellybags must be anxious to look over her
wardrobe.
JOHN. Yes, and also the silver watch and the key and seal hanging to
it. Good bye, Jemmy! Ha! ha!
[_Exeunt, laughing_.]
CLEM. For shame, John. (_Turns to_ EDWARD.) My dear Edward, do not
appear so downcast. I acknowledge that I am myself much mortified and
disappointed--but we must submit to circumstances. What did I tell you
before this will was read?--that nothing could alter my feelings towards
you, did I not?
EDW. (_with indifference_.) Yes.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account