Asa Don't know the manners of good society, eh? Well, I guess I know enough to turn you inside out, old gal--you sockdologizing old man-trap. Wal, now, when I think what I've thrown away in hard cash to-day I'm apt to call myself some awful hard names, 400,000 dollars is a big pile for a man to light his cigar with. If that gal had only given me herself in exchange, it wouldn't have been a bad bargain. But I dare no more ask that gal to be my wife, than I dare ask Queen Victoria to dance a Cape Cod reel. Enter Florence, L. 1 E. Flo What do you mean by doing all these dreadful things? Asa Which things. Flo Come here sir. [He does so.] Asa What's the matter? Flo Do you know this piece of paper? [Showing burnt paper.] Asa Well I think I have seen it before. [Aside.] Its old Mark Trenchard's will that I left half burned up like a landhead, that I am. Flo And you're determined to give up this fortune to Mary Meredith? Asa Well, I couldn't help it if I tried. Flo Oh, don't say that. Asa I didn't mean to do it when I first came here--hadn't the least idea in the world of it, but when I saw that everlasting angel of a gal movin around among them doing fixins like a sunbeam in a shady place; and when I pictured her without a dollar in the world--I--well my old Adam riz right up, and I said, ``Asa do it''--and I did it. Flo Well, I don't know who your old Adam may be, but whoever it is, he's a very honest man to consult you to do so good an action. But how dare you do such an outrageous thing? you impudent--you unceremonious, oh! you unselfish man! you! you, you! [Smothers him with kisses, and runs off, R. 1 E.] Asa Well, if that ain't worth four hundred thousand dollars, I don't know what is, it was sweeter than sweet cider right out of the bung hole. Let me see how things stand round here. Thanks to old whiskers I've got that ship for the sailor man, and that makes him and Miss Florence all hunk. Then there's that darned old Coyle. Well I guess me and old Murcott can fix his flint for him. Then there's--[Looks off, L.] Christopher Columbus, here comes Mary. Enter Mary, L. 1 E. Mary Mr. Trenchard, what can I say to you but offer you my lifelong gratitude. Asa Don't now, Miss, don't-- Mary If I knew what else to offer. Heaven knows there is nothing that is mine to give that I would keep back. Asa Give me yourself. [Bus.] I know what a rude, ill-mannered block I am; but there's a heart inside me worth something, if it's only for the sake of your dear little image, that's planted right plump in the middle of it. Mary Asa Trenchard, there is my hand, and my heart is in it. Asa [Seizes here hand, then drops it suddenly.] Miss Mary, I made what folks call a big sacrifice for you, this morning. Oh! I know it, I ain't so modest, but that I know it. Now what's this you're doing? Is this sacrifice you are making out of gratitude for me? Cause if it is, I wouldn't have it, though not to have it would nigh break my heart, tough as it is.