REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (aside to ROSALINE).

Mr. Smith.

MRS. SYLVESTER.

I do not know any Mr. Smith.  Where has he gone?

ROSALINE.

I never said “Mr. Smith.”

MRS. SYLVESTER.

What?

ROSALINE.

Certainly not.  I have no reason to mind telling the truth.  I am naturally a truthful girl.  His name was—­

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (aside to ROSALINE).

Robinson.

MRS. SYLVESTER.

Once and for all—­will you tell me the man’s name?

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (aside to ROSALINE).

No, never!

MRS. SYLVESTER.

You refuse?

ROSALINE.

No.

MRS. SYLYESTER.

Then why did you say “never?”

ROSALINE.

I never said “Never.”

MRS. SYLVESTER.

I warn you, girl, my patience is nearly exhausted.

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (aside).

So am I. My legs ache at the joints.

MRS. SYLVESTER.

You will either make a clean breast of it, or I shall take steps—­

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (aside to ROSALINE).

Let her take steps—­that’s what I want her to do.

MRS. SYLVESTER.

Ah, wait—­doubtless my husband is in hiding.  I will see.

(She opens R.D. and exit.)

ROSALINE (going up to REMBRANDT TEMPENNY angrily).

What do you mean by getting me into all this trouble?  What do you mean by it?

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.

Oh, you be hanged—­you’re a perfect nuisance.

ROSALINE.

What!

(She slaps his face.  MRS. SYLVESTER re-enters.)

MRS. SYLVESTER.

I heard a noise.

ROSALINE.

I was playing with the idol, that is all.

(REMBRANDT TEMPENNY wags his head mechanically.

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (aside).

This is a dignified position for a husband and a ratepayer!—­the butt of a bad girl!

MRS. SYLVESTER.

Your frivolity will avail you nothing.  If you were indeed brought here by a friend of Mr. Sylvester’s, I can guess who he is.  His name is Tempenny, and I shall enquire into the matter at once. (Going.)

ROSALINE.

Of course his name is Tempenny—­I never denied it.

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY and MRS. SYLVESTER (aside).

What?

ROSALINE.

I am nobody’s accomplice—­I am an honest woman earning a living.  I will tell lies for no one.

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (aside).

The cat!

MRS. SYLVESTER.

Oh, this is infamous!  So Mr. Tempenny assists my husband to deceive me, does he?  We will see what his wife has to say to it.  Birds of a feather—­as I always thought.  Abandoned wretches both!