MATT. ’Scuse me (_hic_), young woman. I’m ’dressing my con—_hic_—’sation to your superior of—_hic_—ficer——
MAY. Silence, sir! You are intruding here. If you want something to eat, follow Nancy and she will provide for you.
MATT. Oh, that’s Nan—_hic_—cy, is it? Nan—_hic_—cy, my regards. I salute you, Nan—_hic_—cy! I’m a poor old soldier, deserted by his (_hic_) country; but I’ve an eye for beauty (_hic_). Sorry you haven’t any, Nan—_hic_—cy.
NANCY (_starts for door_). That I will, quick!
MATT (_rising and stopping her_). Don’t trouble yourself, Nancy. I’m unfor—_hic_—’nate, but I’m (_hic_) polite. Stay where you are. (_Sinks into chair._) This company’s good ’nuff (_hic_) for me.
MAY. Oh, where can Roy be? This fellow terrifies me!
MATT. ’Scuse me. I’m a patriot. (_Hic._) This is what a man gets for servin’ his country. (_Hic._) When the battle’s over, turn him adrift. (_Hic._) Why didn’t they make me Pres—_hic_—ident as well as that other fellow? I fit and fed (_hic_), and he fit and run (_hic_) for President. ’Sgraceful shame! (_Hic._) ’Scuse me.
NANCY. Ah, here’s somebody’ll make you run.
MAR. Halloa! what’s this? The tramp! (_Comes down._) Here, fellow, you start!
MATT (_turns and looks at him_). ’Scuse me (_hic_), are you anybody in par—_hic_—ticular?
MAR. Leave this room at once. Do you hear?
MATT. ’Scuse me. I’m com—_hic_—fortable; make yourself at home.
MAR (_striking him with whip_). Scoundrel, begone, I say.
MATT (_rising_). Ha! it strikes me that you struck (_hic_) me. (_Hic._) I don’t keep no accounts. So let that settle (_hic_) it. (_Strikes at_ MARCUS. ROYAL _comes down, seizes him by nape of neck, and throws him on floor_ L. _halfway up._)
MATT (_staggering to his feet_). Ha, surrounded! then I’ll die game (_hic_), I will. (_Rushes at_ ROY; _they grapple, and stand looking into each other’s faces. Chord._)
MATT. Here. (_Hic._) Hold on a minute. Yes, it’s Roy (_hic_), Roy Manning, as I’m a s_h_inner!
ROY (_grasping his hand_). My old comrade, Matt. Heaven bless you! It is, it is.
MATT (_shaking his hand_). Yes it’s him, glory (_hic_), old boy; we’ve marched together, slept together, fought together, now let’s take (_hic_) a drink together.
ROY. Not now, Matt; you seem to have taken a little too much already. May, this is my old comrade, of the war.