I've got more than half a mind to knock you down.
John
[With a slight smile.] Come, come, Mr. Bush, don't be ridiculous. You'd far better keep quiet, you know.
James
[Scornfully.] What do you think fifty pounds is to me?
John
[With a sharp look.] Who spoke of fifty pounds?
James
You did.
John
You must have mistaken me. A hundred and fifty.
James
Oh! [At first he is surprised, then, as the amount sinks into his mind, grows doubtful.] That's a very different pair of shoes.
John
I don't ask you to say anything untrue. After all, it's not worth while for a man of the world like you – a business man – to give way to petty spite. And we don't want to have any scandal. That would be just as unpleasant for you as for us.
James
[Undecided.] There's no denying that she was hysterical. If he'd only treated me like a gentleman, I shouldn't have had anything to say.
John
Well?
James
[With a foxy, keen glance at John.] Make it two 'undred, and I'll say done.
John
[Firmly.] No. You can take a hundred and fifty, or go to the devil.
James
Oh, well, 'and it over.
John
[Taking a cheque out of his pocket.] I'll give you fifty now and the rest after the inquest.
James
[With a certain admiration.] You're a sharp 'un, you are.
[John writes out the cheque and gives it to James Bush.
James
Shall I give you a receipt? I'm a business man, you know.
John
Yes, I know; but it's not necessary. You'll tell your mother and sister?
James
Don't you fear. I'm a gentleman, and I don't go back on my friends.
John
Now I think I'll say good morning to you. You can understand that Basil isn't fit to see any one.
James
I understand. So long.
[He stretches out his hand, which John shakesgravely.]
John
Good morning.
[Fanny comes in by one door as James Bush
goes out by another.]
Fanny
Good riddance to bad rubbish.
John
Ah, Fanny, if there were no rogues in the world, life would really be too difficult for honest men.
[Fanny goes out, and John walks to the doorand calls.]