DIMMUCK. He said No to a doctor when I haven't even mentioned the matter. Had I better send . . ? GEORGE. Do . . if you care to waste the doctor's time. DIMMUCK _gives an offended sniff and follows_ LADY COTTESHAM. ANN. I could sit here for days. George, I don't think I quite believe in anything I've been told yet. GEORGE. What's that man's name? ANN. John--John is a common name--John Abud. GEORGE. Abud! ABUD. Sir? GEORGE. Come here. ABUD _obediently walks towards his young master and stands before him_. GEORGE. Why did you ask after the health of Mrs. George Leete? ABUD. We courted once. GEORGE. [_After a moment._] Listen, Ann. Do you hate me, John Abud? ABUD. No, sir. GEORGE. You're a fine looking fellow. How old are you? ABUD. Twenty-seven, sir. GEORGE. Is Once long ago? ABUD. Two years gone. GEORGE. Did Mrs. Leete quarrel with you? ABUD. No, sir. GEORGE. Pray tell me more. ABUD. I was beneath her. GEORGE. But you're a fine-looking fellow. ABUD. Farmer Crowe wouldn't risk his daughter being unhappy. GEORGE. But she was beneath me. ABUD. That was another matter, sir. GEORGE. I don't think you intend to be sarcastic. ABUD. And . . being near her time for the first time, sir . . I wanted to know if she is in danger of dying yet. GEORGE. Every precaution has been taken. . a nurse. . there is a physician near. I need not tell you . . but I do tell you. ABUD. Thank you, sir. GEORGE. I take great interest in my wife. ABUD. We all do, sir. GEORGE. Was it ambition that you courted her? ABUD. I thought to start housekeeping. GEORGE. Did you aspire to rise socially? ABUD. I wanted a wife to keep house, sir. GEORGE. Are you content? ABUD. I think so, sir. GEORGE. With your humble position? ABUD. I'm a gardener, and there'll always be gardens. GEORGE. Frustrated affections . . I beg your pardon. . . To have been crossed in love should make you bitter and ambitious. ABUD. My father was a gardener and my son will be a gardener if he's no worse a man than I and no better. GEORGE. Are you married? ABUD. No, sir. GEORGE. Are you going to be married? ABUD. Not especially, sir. GEORGE. Yes . . you must marry . . some decent woman; we want gardeners. ABUD. Do you want me any more now, sir? GEORGE. You have interested me. You can go back to your work. ABUD _obeys_. GEORGE. [_Almost to himself._] I am hardly human. _He slowly moves away and out of sight._ ANN. John Abud. _He comes back and stands before her too._ ANN. I am very sorry for you. ABUD. I am very much obligated to you, Miss. ANN. Both those sayings are quite meaningless. Say something true about yourself. ABUD. I'm not sorry for myself. ANN. I won't tell. It's very clear you ought to be in a despairing state. Don't stand in the sun with your hat off. ABUD. [_Putting on his hat._] Thank you, Miss. ANN. Have you nearly finished the rose-trees? ABUD. I must work till late this evening. ANN. Weren't you ambitious for Dolly's sake?