Timson.  I forbids the banns.

Bertley, [Startled.] Gracious!

Timson. [Extremely unsteady.] Just cause and impejiment.  There ’e stands. [He points to Ferrand.] The crimson foreigner!  The mockin’ jay!

Wellwyn.  Timson!

Timson.  You’re a gen’leman—­I’m aweer o’ that but I must speak the truth—­[he waves his hand] an’ shame the devil!

Bertley.  Is this the rum—?

Timson. [Struck by the word.] I’m a teetotaler.

Wellwyn.  Timson, Timson!

Timson.  Seein’ as there’s ladies present, I won’t be conspicuous. [Moving away, and making for the door, he strikes against the dais, and mounts upon it.] But what I do say, is:  He’s no better than ’er and she’s worse.

Bertley.  This is distressing.

Ferrand. [Calmly.] On my honour, Monsieur!

     [Timson growls.]

Wellwyn.  Now, now, Timson!

Timson.  That’s all right.  You’re a gen’leman, an’ I’m a gen’leman, but he ain’t an’ she ain’t.

Wellwyn.  We shall not believe you.

Bertley.  No, no; we shall not believe you.

Timson. [Heavily.] Very well, you doubts my word.  Will it make any difference, Guv’nor, if I speaks the truth?

Bertley.  No, certainly not—­that is—­of course, it will.

Timson.  Well, then, I see ’em plainer than I see [pointing at
Bertley] the two of you.

Wellwyn.  Be quiet, Timson!

Bertley.  Not even her husband believes you.

Megan. [Suddenly.] Don’t I!

Wellwyn.  Come, Megan, you can see the old fellow’s in Paradise.

Bertley.  Do you credit such a—­such an object?

     [He points at Timson, who seems falling asleep.]

Megan.  Naow!

     [Unseen by anybody, Ann has returned.]

Bertley.  Well, then, my boy?

Megan.  I seen ’em meself.

Bertley.  Gracious!  But just now you were will——­

Megan. [Sardonically.] There wasn’t nothing against me honour, then.  Now you’ve took it away between you, cumin’ aht with it like this.  I don’t want no more of ’er, and I’ll want a good deal more of ’im; as ’e’ll soon find.

     [He jerks his chin at Ferrand, turns slowly on his heel, and
     goes out into the street.]

     [There follows a profound silence.]

Ann.  What did I say, Daddy?  Utter!  All three.

     [Suddenly alive to her presence, they all turn.]

Timson. [Waking up and looking round him.] Well, p’raps I’d better go.

     [Assisted by Wellwyn he lurches gingerly off the dais towards
     the door, which Wellwyn holds open for him.]