PAWKINS. A shilling! Come! I was thinking of a fourpenny bit; but there's nothing like pluck. I say, I hopes you keeps your temper when you loses, for I give you fair warning, I shan't let you go till I've got something out of you. DE W. Affected candour! but it won't do. (_they go up to table, L.--DE WINDSOR takes cards out of drawers of table and they sit--DE WINDSOR, L. and PAWKINS, R., and they begin cutting cards--staking money as they play._ PAWKINS. Well, you are a going it, you are--(_plays again--aside_) Gov'ner can't be coming the old soldier! Oh, it's a do and no mistake! I must have a eye on this old bird. _Enter WHITEWASH, C. from L._ WHITE. Thank heaven I'm free again! What! cards! the devil! (_steals up to table, and whispers to PAWKINS_) Lose! PAWKINS. Eh? WHITE. (R.) Lose, I say. PAWKINS. (C.) Hang it. I have! DE W. (_sees WHITEWASH--aside_) Oh! I see, the rascal's had his cue. PAWKINS. There, I shan't play any more; you've got your three bob, and if ever you catch me at it again, it'll do you good. (_rises and goes forward--aside to WHITEWASH_) One good turn deserves another, I'll give you an 'int. Don't let the old gov'ner there get you down to cards, he's a downy 'un, he is! DE W. Let me see. (_rings money on table_) No! nothing wrong! I have not caught him yet! _Enter THWAITES, C. from L., announcing._ THWAITES. (C.) Mr. Ferguson. _Enter FERGUSON, C. from L., DE WINDSOR goes up to C. door to meet him._ PAWKINS. It's a gent as knows more about me than I want. (_goes across to R. for umbrella_) WHITE. (R. C.) Ah! the owner of some stray pocket handkerchief! Make a rush at the door! PAWKINS. (_crosses to L. D._) Bolted, by jingo! WHITE. This last stroke will finish me! DE W. (_coming down, R. C._) Allow me, my dear, Mr. Ferguson, to introduce you to my intended son-in-law. FERGUS. (_down R._) Sir, allow me to congwatulate you on your vewy interwesting position. DE W. Mr. Whitewash, sir, is one of the brightest ornaments of the legal profession, and this gentleman is one of his most ornamental clients. FERGUS. Vewy much delighted. (_bowing to PAWKINS_) Heyday! Here is certainly a party who has taken me by surpwise. DE W. What do you mean? FERGUS. I mean that a certain party, a fwiend of mine, found that party (_pointing to PAWKINS_) in his cupboard, at thwee o'clock in the morning. DE W. (R. C.) All right! You are quite sure of your man? FERGUS. (R.) Oh, perfectly! (_aside_) Seeing that the fwiend was myself. (_goes up a little_) DE W. (_rubs his hands_) Capital! capital! Tango wins the day! WHITE. (_seated, L. C._) Father-in-law looks pleased--that's unlucky. (_rises_) DE W. Come here, my orator! come here, my Cicero! I've a bit of news for you;--Tango will have my daughter--ha, ha, ha! (_pokes WHITEWASH in the ribs_) WHITE. (L. C.) What, sir! you, a man of heart, who have given your word to me---- DE W. Yes, if Pawkins turned out all right; but he don't--he don't--he don't--ha, ha, ha!