Doolittle [sweetly] Well, what would a man come for?  Be human, governor.

Higgins [disarmed] Alfred:  did you put her up to it?

Doolittle.  So help me, Governor, I never did.  I take my Bible oath I ain’t seen the girl these two months past.

Higgins.  Then how did you know she was here?

Doolittle ["most musical, most melancholy”] I’ll tell you, Governor, if you’ll only let me get a word in.  I’m willing to tell you.  I’m wanting to tell you.  I’m waiting to tell you.

Higgins.  Pickering:  this chap has a certain natural gift of rhetoric.  Observe the rhythm of his native woodnotes wild.  “I’m willing to tell you:  I’m wanting to tell you:  I’m waiting to tell you.”  Sentimental rhetoric!  That’s the Welsh strain in him.  It also accounts for his mendacity and dishonesty.

Pickering.  Oh, please, Higgins:  I’m west country myself. [To Doolittle] How did you know the girl was here if you didn’t send her?

Doolittle.  It was like this, Governor.  The girl took a boy in the taxi to give him a jaunt.  Son of her landlady, he is.  He hung about on the chance of her giving him another ride home.  Well, she sent him back for her luggage when she heard you was willing for her to stop here.  I met the boy at the corner of Long Acre and Endell Street.

Higgins.  Public house.  Yes?

Doolittle.  The poor man’s club, Governor:  why shouldn’t I?

Pickering.  Do let him tell his story, Higgins.

Doolittle.  He told me what was up.  And I ask you, what was my feelings and my duty as a father?  I says to the boy, “You bring me the luggage,” I says—­

Pickering.  Why didn’t you go for it yourself?

Doolittle.  Landlady wouldn’t have trusted me with it, Governor.  She’s that kind of woman:  you know.  I had to give the boy a penny afore he trusted me with it, the little swine.  I brought it to her just to oblige you like, and make myself agreeable.  That’s all.

Higgins.  How much luggage?

Doolittle.  Musical instrument, Governor.  A few pictures, a trifle of jewelry, and a bird-cage.  She said she didn’t want no clothes.  What was I to think from that, Governor?  I ask you as a parent what was I to think?

Higgins.  So you came to rescue her from worse than death, eh?

Doolittle [appreciatively:  relieved at being understood] Just so,
Governor.  That’s right.

Pickering.  But why did you bring her luggage if you intended to take her away?

Doolittle.  Have I said a word about taking her away?  Have I now?

Higgins [determinedly] You’re going to take her away, double quick. [He crosses to the hearth and rings the bell].

Doolittle [rising] No, Governor.  Don’t say that.  I’m not the man to stand in my girl’s light.  Here’s a career opening for her, as you might say; and—­