SCENA.
A letter is brought in and handed to Captain Kenealy. He reads it, and
looks a little--a very little--vexed. Nobody else notices it.
Lucy. "What is the matter? Oh, what has occurred?"
Kenealy. "Nothing particulaa."
Lucy. "Don't deceive us: it is an order for you to join the
horrid army." (Clasps her hands.) "You are going to leave us."
Kenealy. "No, it is from my tailaa. He waunts to be paed."
(Glares astonished.)
Lucy. "Pay the creature, and nevermore employ him."
Kenealy. "Can't. Haven't got the money. Uncle won't daie. The
begaa knows I can't pay him, that is the reason why he duns."
Lucy. "He knows it? then what business has he to annoy you
thus? Take my advice. Return no reply. That is not courteous. But when
the sole motive of an application is impertinence, silent contempt is
the course best befitting your dignity."
Kenealy (twirling his mustache). "Dem the fellaa. Shan't take
any notice of him."
Mrs. Bazalgette (to Lucy in passing). "Do you think we are all
fools?"
_Ibi omnis effusus amor;_ for La Bazalgette undeceived her ally
and Mr. Hardie, and the screw was put harder still on poor Lucy. She
was no longer treated like an equal, but made for the first time to
feel that her uncle and aunt were her elders and superiors, and, that
she was in revolt. All external signs of affection were withdrawn, and
this was like docking a strawberry of its water. A young girl may have
flashes of spirit, heroism even, but her mind is never steel from top
to toe; it is sure to be wax in more places than one.
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