DE W. (_aside_) Ha! ha! I've tickled my trout! WHITE. (_aside, R._) The old gent is playing against me, that's certain. _Re-enter THWAITES, C., with a tray of ices._ DE W. (L.) Thwaites! THWAITES. (_coming down L. C._) At your service, sir. (_THWAITES hands tray to PAWKINS, who first takes an ice, then a spoon, and eats during the following scene_) DE W. (_drawing THWAITES aside, L._) You observe that person? THWAITES. Yes, sir: I don't think him much 'count, sir. DE W. If that man steals anything, you shall have a couple of sovereigns. THWAITES. No! DE W. Spread out the plate as much as you can, give him every opportunity. WHITE. (_R., beckons THWAITES to him, at back_) Here, waiter! THWAITES. (_going to WHITEWASH at back, R. C._) Yes, sir! WHITE. If that fellow with the ice leaves the house without stealing anything, there's a five pound note for you. (_to THWAITES_) (_DE WINDSOR walks round and round PAWKINS, with handkerchief dangling from his pocket, during dialogue_) THWAITES. The deuce! WHITE. And do your best to keep the plate as much out of his reach as possible. THWAITES. Can't be done, sir; can't be done. Gov'ner orders the contrary. PAWKINS. I can't make him out! WHITE. Here, Pawkins, my good fellow, how do you like your ice? PAWKINS. First rate! Beats the penny un's all to shivers! WHITE. Ha! ha! But now you have finished it, you have no occasion for the spoon. (_takes it_) (_THWAITES on the other side takes empty glass from PAWKINS, and exit C._) PAWKINS. I can't make him out! WHITE. (_aside_) I'll stick to him like a leech! _Enter AGATHA, C. from L. and down R._ AGATHA. (R.) Mr. Whitewash, have you forgotten your engagement, the first quadrille? Oh, fie! fie! they are waiting! WHITE. (R. C.) I'm sure I beg a thousand pardons, but you see just at this moment----(_pockets the spoon_) PAWKINS. I can't make any on 'em out! WHITE. (_whispers PAWKINS_) If so much as a salt-spoon is missing you are a dead man! _Exeunt WHITEWASH and AGATHA, C., off L._ PAWKINS. (R. C.) I say, gov'ner, about our young friend here; when he's on the spree like, as he is now, don't you think he's a bit cranky? Do you think all's right here? (_touching his head_) If I behaved like that to my young woman, wouldn't there be a row neither. DE W. (_aside_) Ha! the card table! A trap I didn't think of! I say, Mr. Pawkins, have you any objection to a hand at cards? PAWKINS. Not a bit on it. DE W. Of course you play ecarté? PAWKINS. Of course I don't; I never heerd on it. DE W. Well--cribbage? PAWKINS. I knows nuffin of cribbage. DE W. Picquet? PAWKINS. Eh? DE W. Picquet? PAWKINS. Pick hay? I knows nuffin about pick hay; I was werry nigh being sent to pick oakum! DE W. Well, what shall we play? Suppose we cut for a shilling a game.