FRANK. (_aside_) The devil! leave them together. (_aloud_) Why, you see---- ADELA. I entreat you, the air is so chilly, and as he is suffering with the rheumatism---- FRANK. Ah, true! (_shouting to SIMON_) Don't stir! this young lady will keep you company---- SIMON. (_aside to FRANK_) And I shouldn't at all mind keeping company with her. FRANK. (_punching him slyly_) Must I murder you? SIMON. No, you mustn't. FRANK. (_aside to him_) Mind that to everything she says, you answer only, "My wife will be back directly." SIMON. Yes, sir. FRANK. (_to ADELAIDE_) Now I'm off to fetch grandmother. _Exit, C. door._ ADELA. (_looking after FRANK_) That, then, is the Mr. Harry of whom I have heard so much from my sister. He is not at all bad-looking; but with all his good looks, he is a very worthless fellow. SIMON. (_coughing_) Hum! hum! ADELA. Oh! I was quite forgetting the old gentleman. (_going to SIMON_) There, place your feet on that. (_giving him a footstool_) Now, are you comfortable? SIMON. My wife will be back directly. ADELA. You are not cold? SIMON. (_taking a pinch of snuff_) My wife will be back directly. ADELA. There is a draught from this side--ah! this cushion. (_places a cushion at his back_) SIMON. (_aside_) Isn't she tucking me up nicely! it's rather pleasant to be old--atchieu! (_sneezing_) ADELA. Heaven bless you! SIMON. My wife will be back directly. ADELA. He is deaf as a post. (_to herself_) Yes, Mr. Harry is a scamp: but luckily, we had for neighbour that good man, Mr. Dunstable. (_shouting to SIMON_) Your friend Dunstable. SIMON. My wife will be---- ADELA. (_interrupting him_) Yes, yes, I know! And when he learned Mr. Harry's conduct to my dear sister Jane, the idea occurred to him to send me here as a companion to--"Go to their house," he said, "you will see Mrs. Mitchell, not her husband, he----" SIMON. My wife will be---- ADELA. (_turning towards SIMON_) "He counts for nothing, but his wife----" SIMON. Back directly. ADELA. "You will tell her all, and I have no doubt she will arrange the marriage, and----" SIMON. (_aside_) What is she going on about? (_aloud_) Hem! hem! ADELA. Did you speak? SIMON. My wife will be back directly. ADELA. Poor old gentleman! his intellect appears quite shattered. (_shouting_) I suppose you retire to rest very early? SIMON. My wife will be back directly. FRANK. (_without, in an assumed voice_) Very well, I shall find her. ADELA. That voice! Mrs. Mitchell, no doubt. SIMON. (_aside, frightened_) Grandmother! then I'm booked! (_about to bolt off, R. door, is met by FRANK, who enters, C. door, dressed as an old lady_) FRANK. (_stopping SIMON_) Eh! where are you hobbling to? (_aside to SIMON, in natural voice_) If you don't keep still---- SIMON. (_R., aside, amazed_) Eh! Mr. Harry! ADELA. (_L., curtseying_) Madam---- FRANK. (_C., to ADELAIDE_) Ah! there you are, little darling; my grandson told me just now that----