REFINEMENTS AND PASTIMES
quite a number of infirm people to support, I'd better allot to each of them his task, as I am going to be absent for a time. Hulloa, blindman!
Blindman. What is it, Sir?
Householder, I'm going away for three or four days, and I shall put you in charge of the storeroom where the Chinese furniture is. Look well after it in my absence.
Blindman. Certainly, Sir, Pray do not be uneasy. I trust you will soon return.
Householder. Good! Hulloa, hulloa, cripple! I'm going away for three or four days, and I shall put you in charge of the money room. Look well after it in my absence.
Cripple. Certainly, Sir. I trust you will soon return.
Householder. Good! Hulloa, hulloa there!
Mute. Wa-a-a!
Householder. I'm going away for four or five days. Look after things well in my absence. I put you in charge of the cellar.
Mute. Wa-a-a.
Householder. Good-bye, all of you, then. I shall soon be back. [Exit.
Blindman. Well, well! It's very inconvenient keeping one's eyes shut, I'll just open mine for a little.
Cripple. Come, come! One's feet feel quite queer doubled up like this. I'll just stretch out mine a little.
(The Blindman and the Cripple recognise each other.)
Blindman. Hulloa! It's you, is it? Well, well, well! I suppose the bad luck you've had lately sent you here?
Cripple. Precisely. Just so. But there's a fellow there with a queer voice. Let's go and have a look at him.
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