REGINA. _Pied de mouton_. 

ENGSTRAND. Is that English, eh? 

REGINA. Yes. 

ENGSTRAND. Ay, ay; you've picked up some learning out here; and that may come in useful now, Regina. 

REGINA. [After a short silence.] What do you want with me in town? 

ENGSTRAND. Can you ask what a father wants with his only child? A'n't I a lonely, forlorn widower? 

REGINA. Oh, don't try on any nonsense like that with me! Why do you want me? 

ENGSTRAND. Well, let me tell you, I've been thinking of setting up in a new line of business. 

REGINA. [Contemptuously.] You've tried that often enough, and much good you've done with it. 

ENGSTRAND. Yes, but this time you shall see, Regina! Devil take me-- 

REGINA. [Stamps.] Stop your swearing! 

ENGSTRAND. Hush, hush; you're right enough there, my girl. What I wanted to say was just this--I've laid by a very tidy pile from this Orphanage job. 

REGINA. Have you? That's a good thing for you. 

ENGSTRAND. What can a man spend his ha'pence on here in this country hole? 

REGINA. Well, what then? 

ENGSTRAND. Why, you see, I thought of putting the money into some paying speculation. I thought of a sort of a sailor's tavern-- 

REGINA. Pah! 

ENGSTRAND. A regular high-class affair, of course; not any sort of pig-sty for common sailors. No! damn it! it would be for captains and mates, and--and--regular swells, you know. 

REGINA. And I was to--? 

ENGSTRAND. You were to help, to be sure. Only for the look of the thing, you understand. Devil a bit of hard work shall you have, my girl. You shall do 

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