_Wat_. Uncommissioned? _Ger._ If at all. _Wat_. Well, I can't call it running any risk. What lines!--You will let me drop in some day when you've got your model here? _Ger._ Impossible. _Wat_. You don't mean--? _Ger._ I had no model. _Wat_. No model? Ha! ha!--You must excuse me! (GER. _takes up the wet sheet_.) I understand. Reasons. A little mystery enhances--eh?--is convenient too--balks intrusion--throws the drapery over the mignonette. I understand. (GER. _covers the clay_.) Oh! pray don't carry out my figure. That _is_ a damper now! _Ger._ I am not fond of acting the showman. You must excuse me: I am busy. _Wat_. Ah well!--some other time--when you've got on with her a bit. Good morning. Ta, ta, Warren. _Ger._ Good morning. This way, if you please. (_Shows him out by the door to the street_.) How did the fellow find his way here? _War._ I am the culprit, I'm sorry to say. He asked me for your address, and I gave it him. _Ger._ How long have you known him? _War._ A month or two. _Ger._ Don't bring him here again. _War._ Don't say I _brought_ him. I didn't do that. But I'm afraid you've not seen the last of him. _Ger._ Oh yes, I have! Old Martha would let in anybody, but I've got a man now.--William! _Enter_ COL. GERVAISE _dressed as a servant_. You didn't see the gentleman just gone, I'm afraid, William? _Col. G._ No, sir. _Ger._ Don't let in any one calling himself _Waterfield_. _Col. G._ No, sir. _Ger._ I'm going out with Mr. Warren. I shall be back shortly. _Col. G._ Very well, sir. _Exit into the house_. _Ger._ (_to_ WAR.) I can't touch clay again till I get that fellow out of my head. _War._ Come along, then. _Exeunt_ GER. _and_ WAR. _Re-enter_ COL. G. _polishing a boot. Regards it with dissatisfaction_. _Col. G._ Confound the thing! I wish it were a scabbard. When I think I'm getting it all right--one rub more and it's gone dull again! _The house-door opens slowly, and_ THOMAS _peeps cautiously in_. _Th._ What sort of a plaze be this, maister? _Col. G._ You ought to have asked that outside. How did you get in? _Th._ By th' dur-hole. Iv yo leave th' dur oppen, th' dogs'll coom in. _Col. G._ I must speak to Martha again. She _will_ leave the street-door open!--Well, you needn't look so frightened. It ain't a robbers' cave. _Th._ That be more'n aw knaw--not for sartin sure, maister. Nobory mun keawnt upon nobory up to Lonnon, they tells mo. But iv a gentleman axes mo into his heawse, aw'm noan beawn to be afeard. Aw'll coom in, for mayhap yo can help mo. It be a coorous plaze. What dun yo mak here? _Col. G._ What would you think now? _Th._ It looks to mo like a mason's shed--a greight one. _Col. G._ You're not so far wrong. _Th._ (_advancing_). It do look a queer plaze. Aw be noan so sure abeawt it. But they wonnot coot mo throat beout warnin'. Aw'll bother noan. (_Sits down on the dais and wipes his face_.) Well, aw be a'most weary. _Col. G._ Is there anything I can do for you?