_Bobstay._ I said nothing; put the lady, Mrs. Spanker Bobstay, into the carriage, shut the door, and mysteriously disappeared.
_Bobstay._ Avast there! She’s Spanker’s wife.
_Bobstay._ So did I. Mysteriously disappeared.
_Charles._ But where have you been? What have you been doing all this time?
_Bobstay._ Pursuing the phantom ship, Sylvester Spanker.
_Bobstay._ Trace, my hearty? He’s made a clean run, blast his toplights!
_Bobstay._ Is she? That’s a p’int for the sharks to argue. I didn’t marry his widow; I couldn’t marry his wife; and yet I’m a married man.
_Bobstay._ Ease off a bit. If Spanker mysteriously disappeared, there’s reason for Spanker’s disappearance. And as the aforesaid widow, when I married her, who didn’t prove to be a widow after I married her, boxed my ears twice afore the ceremony, the p’ints of my matrimonial compass don’t p’int that way much.
_Bobstay._ In chase of another craft, my boy. Close-reefed, to overhaul a young spark, with a view to engage him. Shall I destroy his happiness? That’s a p’int. Shall I appear like a spectre and forbid the banns? That’s another p’int. No, my boy. I’ll set ... down here; keep under water till she’s fairly hooked.
_Charles._ But suppose Spanker should turn up?
_Bobstay._ That’s a p’int we can’t argue. Mum’s the word. I’m a spirit. Bobstay’s gone up. Keep dark. Not a word to your wife now.
_Charles._ But Jenny don’t know you are here!
_Bobstay._ No? I’ll hide in the barn--in the pigsty--anywhere until the widow’s hooked.
_Carlos._ Say, Mr. Cleverly, here’s a woman wants to see you. [_Exit_ C. _to_ R.
_Bobstay._ A woman? Then I’ll get under hatches (_runs to table_ R.C. _and puts on wig and whiskers_). That used to be my state-room. I’ll look it over. Mind, Charley, mum’s the word. I’m a spirit; mysteriously disappeared. You understand? [_Exit door_ R.
_Charles._ But I say, captain!--He’s pitched into Nelly’s room. No matter. I’ll have him out as soon as I’ve finished with my visitor. Who can she be?
(_Enter_ C., MISS PERSIS GRIEVOUS, _tragically_.)
_Persis_, C. You are Mr. Charles Cleverly?
_Persis._ Monster! Traitor! Arch conspirator!
_Persis._ You are the friend of Dixon Dolby. My Dixie. You have enticed him from my loving presence; from me, the woman who adores him; for what?