(_To_ VALERE) Do you know, Mr. Grinner, that I am not
exactly in a laughing humour, and that if you provoke me too much, I
shall make you laugh after another fashion. (JACQUES _pushes_
VALERE _to the farther end of the stage, threatening him_.)
VAL. Gently, gently.
JAC. How gently? And if it does not please me to go gently?
VAL. Come, come! What are you about?
JAC. You are an impudent rascal.
VAL. Master Jacques....
JAC. None of your Master Jacques here! If I take up a stick, I shall
soon make you feel it.
VAL. What do you mean by a stick? (_Drives back_ JACQUES _in
his turn_.)
JAC. No; I don't say anything about that.
VAL. Do you know, Mr. Conceit, that I am a man to give you a drubbing
in good earnest?
JAC. I have no doubt of it.
VAL. That, after all, you are nothing but a scrub of a cook?
JAC. I know it very well.
VAL. And that you don't know me yet?
JAC. I beg your pardon.
VAL. You will beat me, you say?
JAC. I only spoke in jest.
VAL. I don't like your jesting, and (_beating_ JACQUES) remember
that you are but a sorry hand at it.
JAC. (_alone_). Plague take all sincerity; it is a bad trade. I
give it up for the future, and will cease to tell the truth. It is all
very well for my master to beat me; but as for that Mr. Steward, what
right has he to do it? I will be revenged on him if I can.
SCENE VII.
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