THWAITES. Please, sir, the parties which is in t'other room can't get on without you. DE W. I'm coming! Bull and bears have the day! _Exit, C., and off, R., followed by THWAITES._ _Re-enter WHITEWASH, dragging PAWKINS by the collar, from L. C._ PAWKINS. (L.) Come now, I say, draw it mild! You'll spile my best coat; I only took it out a purpose to come here. WHITE. (R.) Pawkins, we are alone--Pawkins, as your professional adviser, you are bound to tell me everything. Pawkins, when you came here, what was your intention? PAWKINS. Why, I com'd here in the hope of doing something in the way of business. WHITE. Business, indeed! Why, there were all the streets of London open to your ingenuity, and you must pick out the residence of my father-in-law. (_takes stage to R._) PAWKINS. (_following him up_) Well, I didn't know it was your father-in-law--and if it is, what's the hodds? This 'ere Mr.--summat in the fancy soap line, sends me a hinwite, and so I comes with the tongs in my pocket--well, it turns out he don't want the tongs, but he's taken a likin' to me. That arn't no fault o' mine is it? I never tries to be extra agreeable. (_returns to C. of stage_) WHITE. (_aside_) Perhaps the miserable wretch has commenced already. What have you been doing with yourself? PAWKINS. Why, I've been a looking at them silver gimcracks on the sideboard, and I says to myself--my eyes! if one of them five thingumbobs as don't seem no use here belonged to me---- WHITE. (_aside_) Unhappy train of thought! Allow me for a moment----(_puts his hand in the tail pocket of PAWKINS'S coat_) PAWKINS. What are you about? WHITE. Professional! professional! PAWKINS. Well, I always heerd you lawyers was tidy uns for putting your hands in people's pockets. WHITE. (_pulls out tongs_) What's this? a spoon! PAWKINS. You're a spoon yourself! It's the tongs. WHITE. For a wonder he speaks the truth. Now mark, I'm your professional adviser, and I advise you to be off as soon as you can. PAWKINS. Well, I don't mind; I've seen all there is to be seen, and it arn't half so good as skittles. Between you and I, the gov'ner here seems to have laid out a precious sight of money for werry little fun. _Enter DE WINDSOR, R. C., and down, L._ WHITE. (R.) Go, cut short your moral reflections, and go! (_pushing PAWKINS towards C._) DE W. Why, Mr. Pawkins, what's the cause of this singular hurry? PAWKINS. (_returns to C._) Well, I don't know; you see, I felt I was somehow in the way like. Nobody says nuffin to me, and I say nuffin to nobody. WHITE. (R.) Besides, an affair of the most pressing importance. DE W. Very pressing, indeed! Humbug! You'll stop supper, my dear Mr. Pawkins? PAWKINS. (C.) Oh, well, if there's anything in the way o' wittles a coming, that alters the view of the case. DE W. The supper will be served in silver plate,--in silver--in silver. PAWKINS. What, real silver? like that out there? Don't bother yourself, gov'ner, I'll stop.