PEGGY [_removing his arm_]. And a modest soul. [_Takes up iron._] JOSEPH [_sheepishly_]. Awh, Peggy.... Awh, now.... Just one. Gwon. PEGGY. Just one what? JOSEPH [_suffocating_]. Awh, you know yourself.... It starts with a K. PEGGY. Gracious! I think I know what you mean. What a desperate suggestion. What would your mother say, Joseph? JOSEPH. Awh, sure she wouldn’t know. PEGGY. But she might suspect.... Better run no risks, Joseph. JOSEPH [_drawing closer_]. Let her ... let her suspect.... PEGGY. Mind the iron, Joseph. It’s hot.... _He tries to kiss her and leaps back._ JOSEPH. Moses, Moses! I’m roasted! [_Licks his hand._] If you weren’t my own Peggy I’d say you tried to roast me! PEGGY. I’m sorry, Joseph. I told you it was pretty hot.... JOSEPH. Awh, what do I care about a burn? I’d ram my hand into the flames of the fire if I took a notion.... PEGGY. You’re fearfully wild, Joseph. JOSEPH. Awh, you’ll soon tame me, Peggy. Tell me again. Isn’t all over between you and O’Cahan? PEGGY. It’s all over, Joseph, only I haven’t quite forgotten him yet. JOSEPH. Awh, you’ll soon forget all about him. You’ll soon think of nothing in the whole world but me. O’Cahan was a rap.... _O’CAHAN stalks in the back door. He has the packet in his hand and the whip._ O’C. There your presents, Peggy [_throws packet on table_]. I found them in my pocket. Make jam of them. [_Wheels on JOSEPH_] Who’s a rap? JOSEPH [_cowering_]. Mind, my father’s in the room! O’C. Call him out. JOSEPH. I’ll soon call him if you lay a finger on me! O’C. [_hits him a scud with the whip_]. There! Call out the Rural Councillor. JOSEPH [_backing away_]. I want no fighting with you. O’C. No, you’re a Kilroy. You burn down colleges and paint towns red in your sleep. [_Draws off._] For two straws I’d put a lip on you! JOSEPH [_receding_]. My father’ll writ you! He’ll writ you. You’ll not hit me with a whip.... O’C. Bring out your father. I’ll put a lip on him too.... PEGGY. Hugh, for goodness’ sake don’t make a scene. It isn’t worth it. JOSEPH [_hugging the room door_]. You’ll see my father at the auction. He’ll buy you up, stump and rump. O’C. And who’ll pay? JOSEPH. I’ll pay! I’m into my legacy this morning. Two thousand gold sovereigns. O’C. Listen to me, gurnet. Your father has been swelling about on that money for the last ten years. You’ll have some fun getting your two thousand gold sovereigns, or I’m a fish. That’s why he brought you here this morning--to stop your mouth with a woman. [_To PEGGY_] Now, Peggy. There’s more news for you. You’ve broken with a bankrupt man to marry a bankrupt prig. JOSEPH. Awh, you’ll see that at the auction.... _PROFESSOR TIM comes in at back. He is an oldish man, in seafaring clothes, and looks an incarnate toper._ PROF. [_swaying on his legs_]. Hallo! How’s all here?