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      Bloodgood

      I am.

      Martin

      Oh, yeah! In words, but not in deeds.

      Bloodgood

      You’ll learn that I am master in fact, and in words, too. You are a fool!

      Martin

      Ah, sir, I’m not going to dispute that quality with you.

      Bloodgood

      Shut up! (to Loveless) Sir, once more—enough— Goodbye.

      (Exit Bloodgood into the house.)

      Martin

      Ho, devilishly well said. Sir, you ought no longer to hope to marry Miss Olivia, because that opinionated and imperious mother will never give her to you. As for the husband, he’s a fine doctor, a good astrologer, a great psychic—but he’s not master in his own house. You cannot build on his promises.

      Loveless

      But, don’t I see Scratch?

      Martin

      Yes, sir. It’s Scratch, all right.

      (Enter Scratch.)

      Scratch

      Ah! Sir, your servant. Good day, Martin.

      Martin

      Good day.

      Loveless

      What brings you to town?

      Scratch

      Your son sent me by coach. I’ve only been in town a few hours.

      Martin

      By coach? You should have been sent on foot.

      Loveless

      Why did he send you?

      Scratch

      Sir, here’s a letter that will tell you everything.

      Loveless (reading)

      “Father”—hmm— This isn’t his style or handwriting. Are you making fun of me?

      Scratch

      No, sir. I ask your pardon. You see, I lost his letter on the way. So, I had a peasant who could write make me another one. I know that he was asking for money, and that he promised to be a good boy in the future, and not to do it again. Read the rest of the letter.

      Loveless

      Huh— I’m satisfied with what I’ve read.

      Martin

      What, did you dictate to the peasant?

      Scratch

      Yeah, I did. What are you getting at?

      Martin (ironically)

      Nothing. But, it’s well-contrived, ho, ho.

      Scratch

      You know, you always talk big—but by God, remember—I’m smarter than you.

      Martin

      Ho, ho—without a doubt.

      Scratch

      Damn! Would you like a punch? You will see—

      Loveless

      Will you both shut up!

      Scratch

      But, sir, he always pretends to know everything, and thinks no one’s as smart as he is.

      Martin

      Oh—I defer to you.

      Loveless

      One more time—shut up. But, Scratch, you say my son has spent all his money after four months.

      Scratch

      Yes, sir. If it wasn’t true, I wouldn’t say it.

      Loveless

      It’s gone awfully fast. But, go get some sleep. I will talk to you about it later. I have some pressing business right now. Come on—follow me, Martin.

      (Exit Loveless and Martin.)

      Scratch

      Hola! He thinks he’s the only one who knows anything. Damn, when he takes up that grave attitude, you’d think no one else in the world was as wise as he. He acts like he knows more than anybody.— But, let’s go to Loveless’s and get some money—of which my master has a great need. The expenditures he makes each day! But, I see him coming. It’s not a good idea to tell him I lost his letter—he might abuse me.

      (Enter Gerald.)

      Gerald

      Tell me, what are you doing here?

      Scratch

      Nothing, sir.

      Gerald

      What—two days after I left you, you haven’t been to my father yet?

      Scratch

      No, sir, but I met him in the street, and that did our business.

      Gerald

      How is that?

      Scratch

      I gave him your letter, and told him your need for money. And that, briefly, is all that’s happened.

      Gerald

      And, what did he say to you?

      Scratch

      Nothing, except to go home and that he would speak to me later. At the moment, he has some business.

      Gerald

      Didn’t he interrogate you about my behavior?

      Scratch

      Very little, but I expect he soon will, and that is why I must wait on him.

      Gerald

      Be careful what you say, at least.

      Scratch

      Hey, leave it to me. We are not so stupid as we are badly dressed. He believes all my nonsense.

      Gerald

      Watch out for Martin at all times. As you know, he’s got a big mouth.

      Scratch

      I don’t care about him! God, because he knows how to read and write, he imagines that I am not as wise as he. I have a good idea to give him a fat lip.

      Gerald

      He’s with my father?

      Scratch

      Yes, and wants to argue already. But, we’ve struck back. Go—rely on me. You know that I am not a mere talker—I get things done that you want done. Where are you coming from?

      Gerald

      Olivia told me she has something she wants to tell me, and that I would find her about this house.— But, I see her coming.

      (Enter Olivia and Lettice from the house.)

      Olivia

      Gerald, you come too soon. I told you to come later. You’re two hours early.

      Gerald

      You’re right, madam, but you know the impatience that routinely torments lovers, and how they believe their pains are eased when they can see the place where they will meet the person they love.

      Olivia

      Gerald, stop the flattery, because I cannot stay long with you. I am going to pay a visit, and my mother will come to get me. You must know something, though. Your father wants to marry me.

      Gerald

      My father?

      Olivia

      Yes,

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