MR. TODD
ossory. Thank you, my dear lad. Anything you can do,
of course—I will let you know at once. By the way, you
haven’t asked her yet, I suppose?
DELHOMME. Not yet, sir. I am rather diffident: I do not
care to precipitate affairs.
ossory. Well, I am really very anxious to see her future
assured. And you know our proverb, “The early bird
catches the worm.” [Potnts to him, and over his shoulder
to her.] There's our scientific friend, eh?
DELHOMME. Oh, I’m not afraid of him. A /arceur, no
more, though sometimes a pleasant one.
ossory. Tu fen f—, ca, mon vieux chameau? Quoi?
DELHOMME [very disgusted at ossory’s vulgarity,
which mistakes argot for chic]. Well, sir, as soon as I can
find a favourable opportunity:
ossory. Grief is a good mood to catch them in, my boy.
Iknow! I know! I've been a bit of a dog in my time.
[Shakes hands as they go out.
DELHOMME [vefurning]. One word in your ear, sir, if I
may. It’s purely instinctive—but—but—well, sir, I mistrust
that man Todd!
ossory. Thanks: I believe you may be right.
DELHOMME. Good-bye, sir!
ossory. Good-bye.
mrs. ossory [rising]. Alfred, that man is a devil!
ossory. What, little Delhomme?
MRS. ossory. Of course not, Alfred. How can you be so
silly? Todd!
ossory. Why, whatever do you mean?
MRS. ossory. I don’t mean anything but what I say.
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