Deb. (_After gazing in silent admiration at Allen._) Oh, aunt, isn’t it lovely? Look at its hat! Mrs. R. (_Critically examining his clothes._) Ah--and there’s some good stuff there, too. (_Moving away._) Deb. (_Going near and sniffing._) Oh, oh! Doesn’t it smell nice--and--oh, look at its collar! (_Allen pleased--begins to plume himself--Deb. begins to laugh._) Allen. What’s the matter with the collar--what are you laughing at? (_Trying to look at his own collar. Debt’s laugh only grows, and Allen’s indignation begins to rise._) Allen. What’s the matter--what are you laughing at? (_Deb. laughing more and more, goes to walk round him. Turning round, so as to face her--his collar prevents him turning his head, and he has to walk round._) What are you up to? Deb. I want to see it all round. Allen. (_Very indignantly._) Well then, you can’t do it. I ain’t a show. What are you laughing at? There’s nothing to laugh at. (_Mrs. R. laughs first time._) It’s your ignorance, because you don’t understand things. What are you laughing at? (_Mrs. R., who has hitherto sat R. looking on, now also begins to laugh, and she and Deb. go on laughing more and more, Allen growing more and more indignant._) Allen. I am surprised at you, mother. Deb. allus was a--(_the two women only laugh louder, and Allen in spite of himself begins to laugh too; afterwards he joins in heartily and all three laugh, after which they have another hug. Bus._) Mrs. R. (_Exhausted._) Well, lad, and how dost thee like being a gentleman? (_Sits r., Deb. sits l._) Allen, (_c. doubtfully._) Well, it’s got its drawbacks, mother. There’s more work about it than you’d think for, you know,--but I think I shall be all right, I’ve got a good man learning me. He wur teaching me to walk this morning. That wus the Park stroll I wur practicing when you come in; see, mother? (_Imitates stroll._) Mrs. R. Ah, well, us made a good man of ’ee down in Devon. I hopes they don’t spoil ’ee, lad, in turning thee into a gentleman. Allen. Ah, no, mother. It’s only a polishing up the outside. I’m old Exmoor oak--(_puts his hat and umbrella on table r. c._)--I hope, right through, and they can’t hurt that. When did ’ee come up? (_Sits r. c._) Mrs. R. Only yesterday, and us went to Mrs. Clouter’s and slept, and then us come on here this morning. Allen. And how long can you stop? Mrs. R. Well, us must start off to-morrow, some time. Allen. To-morrow! Oh, nonsense, mother. Mrs. R. Nonsense! Why, bless the lad, thee wouldn’t have me away on Saturday. Why, who’d pay the wages, and see to everything? Allen. Why, there’s Rogers there, ain’t there? Mrs. R. Ah, why thee might just as well leave the key of the stable in charge o’ the old bay mare, as trust him to look arter anything, except his own inside.