XI.-FROM THE BASHFUL MAN.

SIR THOMAS FRIENDLY-BLUSHINGTON-FRANK-GYP EVANS

-NICHOLAS LADY FRIENDLY-DINAH.

Scene 1.-Library in Friendly Hall. At the back, a handsome rose wood table, on which is a head of Hercules and an elegant ink-stand; over that, on a sort of shelf, a superb edition of Xenophon, in sixteen volumes

[Enter Sir Thomas and Lady Friendly.]

Lady Friendly. But why not receive Mr. Blushington in the great drawing-room, Sir Thomas?

Sir Thomas. There's my management, my lady! Being a scholar. Mr. Blushington will feel at once the delicacy of the compliment I pay him by first introducing him to the library: besides the apparent number of books he will see here. will give him a high opinion of my erudition; there's management again! Wouldn't any one think to look at it, that was really a fine edition of Xenophon, in folio? Instead of which. it's merely a deal board, covered with some gilded leather, for the maids to put their pails and brushes behind. All my contrivance ! But mum! here he comes. Oh! this plaguy gout!-But I must get up and receive him. [Enter Blushington, pushed on by Gyp, preceded by Evans, and followed by Nick and servants.]

Evans. Mr. Blushington, Sir Thomas.

Blushington. Don't leave me, Gyp; the awful moment

has arrived.

Sir T. Mr. Blushington, I rejoice to meet you.

Gyp. Fifth position. sir. [Blushington, in endeavoring to put himself into an attitude, stumbles and pitches on Sır Thomas's gouty foot.]

Sir T. Oh! confound the fellow, he's murdered me. [Aside.]

Blush. You infernal scoundrel, Gyp! you've made me tread Sir Thomas's toe off. My dear Sir Thomas, I beg ten thousand pardons; but-but

Sir T No apologies, I beg: these little accidents will happen. It's over now: yes, as we scholars say, it's gone

in toto.

Gyp. All's right, sir!-Now for the speech. [Apart to Blushington.]

Blush. [Apart to Gyp] My tongue sticks to my throat; I couldn't utter a syllable to save my life.

Sir T. Allow me to introduce you to Lady Friendly. Lady Friendly, Mr. Blushington

Blush. Happy-proud-dinner-sorry-acquaintanceSir T. Ay, ay; well thought of Go, varlets, and hurry the dinner. No giggling. hussies!-Away! [Exeunt Nick and servants.] Evans take Mr. Blushington's man into the pantry, and make him welcome.

Blush. Oh dear! no; no occasion for that. Sir Thomas. Lord bless me! don't leave me. Gyp. What shall I do by myself, if they take my only prop away. [Aside to Gyp.] Gyp. Courage, sir! you get on famously. I must go, you see can't help it. [Aside to Blushington] Poor fellow! Evans. This way, if you please, sir. [Exeunt Gyp and Evans.]

Blush What will become of me! without guide or rudder I'm lost!

Sir T Take a chair, Mr. Blushington; you seem warm! Blush. [Aside.] I'm frying!

Sir T You perceive Mr. Blushington, we're like youdabble in literature a little; smack of the classics a bit! Blush. The classics: I can lanch out here; I'm on safe ground. [Aside.] Yes Sir Thomas-certainly-by all

means.

Sir T. Delightful study. I fagged hard hard, at college, Mr. Blushington; and was, I can assure you, very near being elected senior wrangler.

Blush. I don't doubt it. I chafe like a bull. [Aside.] Lady F. We are all great readers, Mr. Blushington; my daughter Dinah in particular; before she was twelve years old, she had gone twice through The Complete Housewife" and The Whole Duty of Man." You'll suit one another to a T, in that respect.

.6

Blush. Hum! Oh yes certainly. my lady, by all means; though I can't say I've been through The Whole Duty of Man," and The Complete Housewife." They're rather ignorant: I must astonish them a little bit with the extent of my learning. I begin to get more courage than I thought for. Yes I'll surprise them now. [Aside.] Bless me, that's a very remarkable eaition of Xenophon there-sixteen volames folio; allow me to examine it. [Getting up.]

Sir T. [Rising.] Stop stop. my dear Mr. Blushington,

Blush. Oh! Sir Thomas, I couldn't think of giving you the trouble. [Goes, as he supposes, to lay hold of one of the

volumes, when the boar l falls down on the slab, breaks the Hercules' head, and upsets the ink-stand.] Hey what! books-boards! what have I done? what shall I do? I beg ten thousand pardons, Sir Thomas; upon my word, I didn't mean to do it. If I'd known it had only been sham -bless me here's all the ink down too. Oh dear! oh dear! what an accident.

Lady F I thought what would come of your fine management, Sir Thomas. Where's a cloth? the table will be spoiled!

[Takes his white cam

Bless

Blush. Here's a cloth, my lady. bric handkerchief, and begins wiping up the ink. me! I'm inking my handkerchief. Folds up the handker chief, the inky part inside, and puts it in his pocket.] Excuse my awkwardness, my lady: I-I-oh dear! that I could but run away. If Gyp was but here!

Evans.
Blush.

[Enter Evans]

Dinner's on table, Sir Thomas.

Here's a relief, then. I'm in a furnace.

Sir T I won't hear another word on the subject; there's no harm done; only the cover taken off the books, Hercules' head broke, and Mr. Blushington's handkerchief stained. You've received no material contusion yourself, I hope, my dear young friend?

Blush. Oh dear, no! I'm in no material confusion at all: quite cool, I assure you. I wish I could jump out of the window. Mount Vesuvius is an ice-house, to this. [Aside.] Sir T Come along, then, and I'll introduce you at once to Dinah and dinner.

Blush. More trials what shall I have to go through next? Heaven preserve me! Lady Friendly, allow me to offer my arm. [Offers his arm to Evans, by mistake, and lugs him off unknowingly.]

Sir T. I'll take your other wing, as I'm rather laine. Stop, stop. Eh! indeed! you young fellows are so brisk. I can't run races now. Why, hang me if he hasn't carried [Exeunt.]

off the butler !

Scene 2.-The great Dining-room in Friendly Hall; table laid out for

dinner.

[Enter Dinah and Frank.]

Frank. Now, then, Di, for the important moment. An't you all in a twitter?

Dinah. La, Frank, how you do go on! Has Evans summoned the family to dinner yet? Frank. He is gone now. Poor Ned! I can well conceive the agony he is in, at this moment; blushing like a full-blown rose. every step he takes. Hey! here they come. Enter Sir Thomas, Lady Friendly, and Blushington; followed by Evans, Gyp, Nick, and Servants.]

Ha! my dear Blushington! Welcome! welcome! I rejoice to meet a fellow cantab, a brother soph, once again. Allow me to introduce you to my sister. Brother Soph, sis

ter Di.; sister Di., brother Soph.

Blush. Thank ye, my dear fellow, thank ye-hope you're well, with all my heart and soul. [Advances timidly, and, without looking towards Dinah, shakes her heartily by the hand, supposing her to be young Friendly.]

Sir T. Eh! that's Dinah.

This is Frank.

Blush. Happy to see you, miss-hope you're quite well,' miss. [Bowing to Frank, who has taken Dinah's place, sup posing him to be Dinah.]

Frank. Nay, nay; here's Dinah.

Blush. Oh yes, certainly-by all means.

Another

mistake. [Aside.] Extremely proud, Mr. Friendly-great honor-happy-see-Miss Dinah

Dinah. Very gratified, Mr. Blushington, to have the honor of meeting any friend of my brother.

Sir T But come, take your places; the dinner's getting cold. Mr. Blushington, you will sit by my daughter.

Blush. Yes, certainly; by all means that is-oh! with great pleasure. What will become of me? oh! that wooden Xenophon. I feel my cheeks burning like a firebrand; and misfortunes never come alone. [Aside.] Dear me! if I haven't taken the young lady's chair: beg pardon. [After some blunders on the part of Blushington, with the chairs, they sit down to dinner-he first seating himself in Dinah's lap by mistake; the baronet and his lady sit at the back, fronting the audience-Frank on one side, and Dinah and Blushington on the outside, nearest the audience, so that they can see the motims of all parties.]

Sir T. Now, then, Mr. Blushington, allow me to send you some soup, and you, Dinah : 'tis turtle, and fit for young

lovers.

Blush. You're very good a little drop-I'm getting somewhat cool now, if it does but last. [Aside.] Bread, Miss Dinah; allow me to help you. Eh bless me; if I

Dinah. consequence.

haven't knocked over the salt. Oh, dear! oh dear! Excuse my awkwardness miss. l'in at it again. [Aside.] Don't mention it I beg; 'tis not of the slightest We are not in the least superstitious here. Sir T Throw a little over your left shoulder, Mr. Blushington. [Blushington, in throwing some of the salt over his left shoulder, almost blinds Nicholas, who is standing behind him with his mouth open, and receives it in his face; cndeavoring to amend the error, he then salutes Sir Thomas in a similar manner, and, in his confusion, tilts his plate of hot soup into his lap.]

Blush.
Sir T

Oh, dear! Oh, dear!

Hey! zounds, what's the matter now? Nick. 'Squire ha' tilted the hot soup over his breeches, Sir Thomas.

Sir T Dear! dear! what an accident! Some clean cloths, rascal.

Lady F It's always unlucky to upset the salt. I thought something fatal would happen through it.

Dinah I hope no material injury is like to occur from this, Mr. Blushington?

Frank. You haven't completely scalded yourself? Nothing fatal is there, Ned? Why don't you bring some napkins, Nicholas ?

Blush. I mustn't appear to mind it though I am more than three parts parboiled. [Aside.] Not at all-not at all 'tis a mere trifle.

Nick. I'll wipe you down. sir. Nothing shall be spoiled: your silks will be as good as ever, with a little washing. It hasn't taken the skin off has it, sir? There, now you're as well as if nothing had happened.

Blush. [Aside.] As well as if nothing had happened, after such a fomentation as this? Why, my legs and thighs seem stewing in a boiling cauldron. Oh, dear! oh, dear! if anybody would but chuck me into the New River now.

Sir T Here, Nicholas, take away the soup. You don't wish for any more, do you, Mr. Blushington ?

Blush.

Not a drop I can assure you.

Sir T. No; I think we've had enough. Shall I trouble you to cut up that capon?

Blush. Carve a capon! Lord bless me. I couldn't carve a cabbage; but I must not let them see my ignorance. I must try and hack it, somehow. [Aside.] Oh, yes; cer tainly, by all means. Eh! there, if I haven't knocked over