A Mysterious Disappearance. Baker George Melville

Nelly?

      Nelly. No. I’ve often heard you speak of him, and feel inclined to like him.

      Charles. I know you will, Nelly. Now let’s have something nice for dinner, in honor of our guest; something extra, you know.

      Nelly. I’ll look after the dinner. When he comes, we shall have something extra. [Exit R.

      Charles. She’s a nice girl. I hope Dixie will like her. To think of his coming down here to see me a married man. Why, I should almost as soon expect, Uncle Bobstay to walk in at my door.

      (Enter C. Bobstay. He has a black wig and black whiskers.)

      Bobstay (at door). Avast there! Are the decks, clear? Sh —

      Charles. Hallo! Who have we here? Come in.

      Bobstay (comes down R.). All right, my hearty. When a messmate’s going down in the briny – for the last time, mind – what do we do? Why, we extends a helping hand, and grabs him by the hair of the head, don’t we?