Castro, and
accord him full permission to woo and win his cousin, Miss Mary Morris,
promising him the same aid and assistance previously offered in his suit
with Miss Castro."

Old Morton (signing). Alexander Morton, sen. There, Aleck! You have
forgotten one legal formality. We have no witness. Ha, ha!

Oakhurst (significantly). I will be a sufficient witness.

Old Morton. Ha, ha! (Fills glass from decanter, after which OAKHURST
quietly removes decanter beyond his reach.) Very good! Aleck, I've been
thinking of a plan,--I've been thinking of retiring from the bank. I'm
getting old, and my ways are not the popular ways of business here. I've
been thinking of you, you dog,--of leaving the bank to you,--to you,
sir, eh--the day--the day you marry the schoolma'am--eh. I'll stay home
and take care of the boy--eh--hic! The little rascal!--lifted his arms
to me--did, Aleck! by God! (Incoherently.) Eh!

Oakhurst. Hush! (Aside.) Sandy will overhear him, and appear.

Old Morton (greatly affected by liquor.) Hush! eh!--of course--shoo!
shoo! (The actor will here endeavor to reproduce in OLD MORTON'S drunken
behavior, without exactly imitating him, the general characteristics of
his son's intoxication.) Eh!--I say, Aleck, old boy! what will the Don
say? eh? Ha, ha, ha! And Jovita, that firebrand, how will she--hic--like
it, eh? (Laughs immoderately.)

Oakhurst. Hush! We will be overheard! The servants, sir!

Old Morton. Damn the servants! Don't I--hic--pay them wages--eh?

Oakhurst. Let me lead you to your own room. You are nervously excited. A
little rest, sir, will do you good. (Taking his arm.)

Old Morton. No shir, no shir, 'm nerrer goin' to bed any more. Bed's bad
habit!--hic--drunken habit. Lesh stay up all ni, Aleck! You and me! Lesh
nev'r--go--bed any more! Whar's whiskey--eh? (Staggers to the table for
decanter as OAKHURST seizes him, struggle up stage, and then OLD MORTON,
in struggle, falls helplessly on sofa, in same attitude as SANDY was
discovered.)

Enter SANDY cautiously from door L.

Sandy (to OAKHURST). Jack! Eh, Jack--

Oakhurst. Hush! Go! I will follow you in a moment. (Pushes him back to
door L.)

Sandy (catching sight of OLD MORTON). Hallo! What's up?

Oakhurst. Nothing. He was overtaken with a sudden faintness. He will
revive presently: go!

Sandy (hesitating). I say, Jack, he wasn't taken sick along o' me, eh,
Jack?

Oakhurst. No! No! But go (pushing him toward door).

Sandy. Hold on: