SCENE III.—_The same. FITZ HOWARD is seen, L. C., sitting

disconsolately with Deacon’s home-made shirt and pants on._

F. H. Well—aw—I’m sure, I don’t see what I’m going to do. I never can go out on the street—aw—wearing such wretched-looking clothes. (_Standing up suddenly and gazing upon them._) Why, they’re absolutely horwid. It’s strange—aw—how anybody could have been quick enough—aw—to change those clothes in the five minutes I was out—aw—last night at the alarm of fire. I should just like to get hold of the thief—aw—that’s all. I guess—aw—he’d never steal anything else. (_A pause. Emphatically._) I won’t wear this horwid-looking coat (_lifting it up._) What would Dick Hayes or Harwy Nichols say—aw—to see me dressed in this style! I won’t wear the shabby ole thing. (_Throws it to the other end of the room, R._) I should feel—aw—as if I was my own grandfather. And this horwid old hat. (_Takes it in his hand, and with a kick sends it after the coat._) Aw—I’ll ring for the landlord. (_Rings furiously. JOHN enters, R._)

F. H. Aw—where’s the landlord—aw?

J. He’s gone away.

F. H. When he comes back—aw—I want to see him.

J. Yes, sir; but he may not be back till noon, but I’ll tell him when he comes.

(_Exit JOHN, R._)

F. H. (_solus_). Well—aw—there’s no help from that quarter. I don’t see but I’ve got to come to it, for if I don’t wear these clothes—aw—what shall I wear? There isn’t any shop that sells ready-made clothing that I’d be willing to wear—aw—and if there was I haven’t money enough to spare to buy another suit. (_Groaning._) I don’t see but I _must_ wear it. (_Puts on vest and coat—looks in mirror._) Oh, dear! Aw—what a fright! And I was going to call on Arabella Meade this morning. (_Puts on hat, which, being a little too large for him, settles down on the back side of his head. He paces back and forth, looking down._) But there’s no use in my going there to-day. The servants would take me—aw—for a ragamuffin, and thrust me out of the house—aw—if I attempted to enter it. I suppose I shall have to go down in this costume—aw—and see if I cannot find some clue to my own clothes—aw.

(_Exit, L. Curtain falls._)