(_C._) (_Bus._) I say, suppose I dress up as Jerry Bundler and go
and give him a chance of displaying his courage? I bet I'd make the old
party sit up.
MALCOLM. Capital!
BELDON. A good idea.
LEEK. I shouldn't, if I were you.
HIRST. Just for the joke, gentlemen (_C._).
SOMERS. No, no--drop it, Hirst.
HIRST. Only for the joke. Look here, I've got some things that'll do
very well. We're going to have some amateur theatricals at my house.
We're doing a couple of scenes from "The Rivals," Somers, (_pointing to
SOMERS_) and I have been up to town to get the costumes, wigs, etc.,
to-day. I've got them up-stairs--knee-breeches, stockings, buckled
shoes, and all that sort of thing. It's a rare chance. If you wait a
bit, I'll give you a full dress rehearsal, entitled "Jerry Bundler, or
the Nocturnal Stranger." (_At door L._).
LEEK (_sneeringly_). You won't frighten us, will you?
HIRST. I don't know so much about that--it's a question of acting,
that's all.
MALCOLM. I'll bet you a level sov, you don't frighten me.
HIRST (_quietly_). A level sov. (_Pauses._) Done. I'll take the bet to
frighten you first, and the old boy afterwards. These gentlemen shall be
the judges. (_Points to LEEK and BELDON._)
BELDON (_up C._). You won't frighten us because we're prepared for you,
but you'd better leave the old man alone. It's dangerous play. (_Appeals
to LEEK_).
HIRST. Well, I'll try you first.
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