_Mat_. Me offended, miss!--I've not got life enough for it. I only want my father and my mother, and a long sleep.--If I had been born rich-- _Con_. You might have been miserable all the same. Listen, Mattie. I will tell you _my_ story--I was once as badly off as you--worse in some ways--ran about the streets without shoes to my feet, and hardly a frock to cover me. _Mat_. La, miss! you don't say so! It's not possible! Look at you! _Con_. Indeed, I tell you the truth. I know what hunger is too--well enough. My father was a silkweaver in Spitalfields. When he died, I didn't know where to go. But a gentleman-- _Mat_. Oh! a gentleman!--(_Fiercely_.) Why couldn't you be content with _one_, then? _Con_. I don't understand you. _Mat_. I dare say not! There! take your basket. I'll die afore a morsel passes _my_ lips. There! Go away, miss. _Con_. (_aside_). Poor girl! she is delirious. I must ask William to fetch a doctor. _Exit_. _Mat_. I wish my hands were as white as hers. _Enter_ SUSAN, _followed by_ COL. G. CONSTANCE _behind_. _Sus_. Mattie! dear Mattie! this gentleman--don't be vexed--I couldn't help him bein' a gentleman; I was cryin' that bad, and I didn't see no one come up to me, and when he spoke to me, it made me jump, and I couldn't help answerin' of him--he spoke so civil and soft like, and me nigh mad! I thought you was dead, Mattie. He says he'll see us righted, Mattie. _Col. G._ I'll do what I can, if you will tell me what's amiss. _Sus_. Oh, everything's amiss--everything!--Who was that went out, Mattie--this minute--as we come in? _Mat_. Miss Lacordère. _Sus_. Her imperence! Well! I should die of shame if I was her. _Mat_. She's an angel, Susan. There's her basket. I told her to take it away, but she would leave it. _Sus_. (_peeping into the basket_). Oh, my! Ain't this nice? You _must_ have a bit, Mattie. _Mat_. Not one mouthful. You wouldn't have me, Susan! _Sus_. _I_ ain't so peticlar (_eating a great mouthful_). You really must, Mattie. (_Goes on eating_.) _Col. G._ Don't tease her. We'll get something for her presently. And don't you eat too much--all at once. _Sus_. I think she'd like a chop, sir.--There's that boy, Bill, again!--Always when he ain't wanted! _Enter_ BILL. _Bill_ (_aside to Susan_). What's the row? What's that 'ere gent up to? I've been an' had enough o' gents. They're a bad lot. I been too much for one on 'em, though. I ha' run _him_ down.--And, Mattie, I've found the old gen'leman. _Mat_. My father, Bill? _Bill_. That's it percisely! Right as a trivet--he is! _Mat_. Susan! take hold of me. My heart's going again. _Bill_. Lord! what's up wi' Mattie? She do look dreadful. _Sus_. You been an' upset her, you clumsy boy! Here--run and fetch a sausage or two, and a-- _Col. G._ No, no! That will never do.