I pulled out a knot of cherry-colored ribbons, which she had given me out of her breast, and which somehow I always wore upon me, and flung them in Captain Best's face, and rushed out with my little sword drawn.
RODERICK
She's a liar -- she's a liar, Captain Best! Draw, sir, and defend yourself, if you are a man!
Roderick leaps at Captain Best, and collars him, while Dorothy makes the air echo with her screams.
Captain Grogan and Mysie hasten up.
Though Roderick is a full growth of six feet, he is small by the side of the enormous English captain.
Best turns very red at the attack upon him, and slips back clutching at his sword.
Dorothy, in an agony of terror, flings herself round him, screaming:
DOROTHY
Captain Best, for Heaven's sake, spare the child -- he is but an infant.
CAPTAIN BEST
And ought to be whipped for his impudence, but never fear, Miss Dugan, I shall not touch him, your favorite is safe from me.
So saying, he stoops down and picks up the bunch of ribbons, which Roderick had flung at Dorothy's feet, and handing it to her, says in a sarcastic tone:
CAPTAIN BEST
When ladies make presents to gentlemen, it is time for other gentlemen to retire...
DOROTHY
Good heavens, Best! He is but a boy and don't signify any more than my parrot or lap-dog. Mayn't I give a bit of ribbon to my own cousin?
RODERICK
(roaring)
I'm a man, and will prove it.
CAPTAIN BEST
You are perfectly welcome, miss, as many yards as you like.
DOROTHY
Monster! Your father was a tailor, and you are always thinking of the shop. But I'll have my revenge, I will! Roddy, will you see me insulted?
RODERICK
Indeed, Miss Dorothy, I intend to have his blood as sure as my name's Roderick.
CAPTAIN BEST
I'll send for the usher to cane you, little boy, but as for you, miss, I have the honor to wish you a good day.
Best takes off his hat with much ceremony, and makes a low bow, and is just walking off, when Michael, Roderick's cousin, comes up, whose ear has likewise been caught by the scream.
MICHAEL
Hoity-toity! John Best, what's the matter here?
CAPTAIN BEST
I'll tell you what it is, Mr. Dugan. I have had enough of Miss Dugan here and your Irish ways. I ain't used to 'em, sir.
MICHAEL
(good-humoredly)
Well, well! What is it? We'll make you used to our ways, or adopt English ones.
CAPTAIN BEST
It's not the English way, for ladies to have two lovers, and, so, Mr. Dugan, I'll thank you to pay me the sum you owe me, and I resign all claims to this young lady. If she has a fancy for school-boys, let her take 'em, sir.
MICHAEL
Pooh! Pooh! Best, you are joking.
CAPTAIN BEST
I never was more in earnest. Best exits.
MICHAEL
(in a towering rage)
You -- you! Hang you for a meddling brat, your hand is in everybody's pie. What business had you to come brawling and quarreling here, with a gentleman who has fifteen hundred a-year?
Michael runs after Best.
DOROTHY
(gasps)
Oh, I shall die; I know I shall. I shall never leave this spot.