Jack.

_Jack._ Oh, I forgot. This is my sister. This is Dolly, Belle's
sister, and this is Bill--a little news-boy who helped me when I was
down and out.

_Bill._ Good evenin', ladies and gents.

_Dolly._ It was some kind of joke you played on us, Jack?

_Jack._ It was a wager I had made. I went out to shift for myself
and see how I'd get along. I wasn't playing any joke on you, Dolly.

_Dolly._ It was a pretty poor joke on Belle, I think.

_Jack._ How do you mean?

_Dolly._ You promised you'd marry her!

_Dad._ What!

_Jessie._ Marry her!

_Dolly._ That's what he told her. Didn't you, Jack?

_Jack._ Why--I--

_Dolly._ It's all right, Jack--since's we've caught on in time.

_Jack._ No, no, don't misunderstand me. It was just that I didn't