my dismissed servant for your dismissed PARTNER.

Starbottle (advancing). Ged, sir, I respect you! Ged, sir, permit
me, sir, to grasp that honorable hand!

Old Morton (excitedly). He is right, my partner. What have I
done! The house of Morton & Son dissolved. The man known as my
partner--a fugitive! No, Alexander!

Starbottle. One moment--a single moment! As a lawyer, permit me
to say, sir, that the whole complication may be settled, sir, by
the--er--addition of--er--single letter! The house of Morton & Son
shall hereafter read Morton & Sons. The papers for the legal
adoption of Mr. Oakhurst are--er--in my pocket.

Old Morton (more soberly). Have it your own way, sir! Morton &
Sons be it. Hark ye, Don Jose! We are equal at last. But--hark
ye, Aleck! How about the boy, eh?--my grandson, eh? Is this one
of the sons by adoption?

Sandy (embarrassedly). It is my own, sir.

Capper (advancing). He can with safety claim it; for the mother is
on her way to Australia with her husband.

Old Morton. And the schoolma'am, eh?

Miss Mary. She will claim the usual year of probation for your
prodigal, and then--