The Parent's Assistant Part 20

_Mrs. Talb._ About 150 a year for us all.

_Louisa._ That is enough, is it not, for you?

_Mrs. Talb._ For me, love? I am an old woman, and want but little in this world, and shall be soon out of it.

_Louisa_ (_kneels down beside her_). Do not speak so, dearest mother.

_Mrs. Talb._ Enough for me, love! Yes, enough, and too much for me. I am not thinking of myself.

_Louisa._ Then, as to my brother, he has such abilities, and such industry, he will make a fortune at the bar for himself, most certainly.

_Mrs. Talb._ But his education is not completed. How shall we provide him with money at Cambridge?

_Louisa._ This Montem. The last time the captain had eight hundred, the time before a thousand, pounds. Oh, I hope--I fear! Now, indeed, I know that, without being avaricious, we may want, and wish for money.

(_Landlady's voice heard behind the scenes._)

_Landlady._ Waiter!--Miss Bursal's curricle, and Mr. Bursal's _vis-a-vis_. Run! see that the Dolphin's empty. I say run!--run!

_Mrs. Talb._ I will rest for a few moments upon the sofa, in this bedchamber, before we set off.

_Louisa_ (_goes to open the door_). They have bolted or locked it. How unlucky!

(_She turns the key, and tries to unlock the door._)

_Enter_ WAITER.

_Waiter._ Ladies, I'm sorry--Miss Bursal and Mr. Bursal are come--just coming upstairs.

_Mrs. Talb._ Then, will you be so good, sir, as to unlock this door?

(_Waiter tries to unlock the door._)

_Waiter._ It must be bolted on the inside. Chambermaid! Sally! Are you within there? Unbolt this door.

_Mr. Bursal's voice behind the scenes._ Let me have a basin of good soup directly.

_Waiter._ I'll go round and have the door unbolted immediately, ladies.

(_Exit Waiter._)

_Enter_ MISS BURSAL, _in a riding dress, and with a long whip._

_Miss Bursal._ Those creatures, the ponies, have a'most pulled my _'and_ off. Who _'ave_ we _'ere_? Ha! Mrs. Talbot! Louisa, _'ow_ are ye? I'm so vastly glad to see you; but I'm so shocked to _'ear_ of the loss of the _Bombay Castle_. Mrs. Talbot, you look but poorly; but this Montem will put everybody in spirits. I _'ear_ everybody's to be _'ere_; and my brother tells me, 'twill be the finest ever seen at _H_ Eton. Louisa, my dear, I'm sorry I've not a seat for you in my curricle for to-morrow; but I've promised Lady Betty; so, you know, 'tis impossible for me.

[Ill.u.s.tration: _Enter Miss Bursal, in a riding dress._]

_Louisa._ Certainly; and it would be impossible for me to leave my mother at present.

_Chambermaid_ (_opens the bedchamber door_). The room's ready now, ladies.

_Mrs. Talb._ Miss Bursal, we intrude upon you no longer.

_Miss Burs._ Nay, why do you decamp, Mrs. Talbot? I _'ad_ a thousand things to say to you, Louisa; but am so tired and so annoyed----

(_Seats herself. Exeunt Mrs. Talbot, Louisa, and Chambermaid._)

_Enter_ MR. BURSAL, _with a basin of soup in his hand._

_Mr. Burs._ Well, thank my stars the _Airly Castle_ is safe in the Downs.

_Miss Burs._ Mr. Bursal, can you inform me why Joe, my groom, does not make his appearance?

_Mr. Burs._ (_eating and speaking_). Yes, that I can, child; because he is with his _'orses_, where he ought to be. 'Tis fit they should be looked after well; for they cost me a pretty penny--more than their heads are worth, and yours into the bargain; but I was resolved, as we were to come to this Montem, to come in style.

_Miss Burs._ In style, to be sure; for all the world's to be here--the King, the Prince of W_h_ales, and Duke o' York, and all the first people; and we shall cut a das.h.!.+ Das.h.!.+ das.h.!.+ will be the word to-morrow!--(_playing with her whip_).

_Mr. Burs._ (_aside_). Das.h.!.+ das.h.!.+ ay, just like her brother. He'll pay away finely, I warrant, by the time he's her age. Well, well, he can afford it; and I do love to see my children make a figure for their money. As Jack Bursal says, what's money for, if it e'nt to make a figure? (_Aloud._) There's your brother Jack, now. The extravagant dog!

he'll have such a dress as never was seen, I suppose, at this here Montem. Why, now, Jack Bursal spends more money at Eton, and has more to spend, than my Lord John, though my Lord John's the son of a marchioness.

_Miss Burs._ Oh, that makes no difference nowadays. I wonder whether her ladys.h.i.+p is to be at this Montem. The only good I ever got out of these stupid Talbots was an introduction to their friend Lady Piercefield.

What she could find to like in the Talbots, heaven knows. I've a notion she'll drop them, when she hears of the loss of the _Bombay Castle_.

_Enter a_ WAITER, _with a note._

_Waiter._ A note from my Lady Piercefield, sir.

_Miss B._ Charming woman! Is she here, pray, sir?

_Waiter._ Just come. Yes, ma'am.

(_Exit Waiter._)

_Miss B._ Well, Mr. Bursal, what is it?

_Mr. B._ (_reads_). 'Business of importance to communicate----' Hum!

what can it be?--(_going_).

_Miss B._ (_aside_). Perhaps some match to propose for me! (_Aloud._) Mr. Bursal, pray before you go to her ladys.h.i.+p, do send my _ooman_ to me to make me _presentable_.

(_Exit Miss Bursal at one door._)

_Mr. B._ (_at the opposite door_). 'Business of importance!' Hum! I'm glad I'm prepared with a good basin of soup. There's no doing business well upon an empty stomach. Perhaps the business is to lend cash; and I've no great stomach for that. But it will be an honour, to be sure.

(_Exit._)

SCENE III