The Dean monologue (Act 2) — Dandy Dick: A Play in Three Acts

I--I am upset to-night, Blore. Of course you leave this day month. I--I [_looking round._] Blore! He's gone! If I don't call him back the Spire may be richer to-morrow by five hundred pounds. I won't dwell on it. I'll read--I'll read. [_Snatches a book at haphazard from the bookshelf. There is the sound of falling rain and distant thunder._] Rain, thunder. How it assimilates with the tempest of my mind! I'll read. Bless me! This is very strange. [_Reading._] "The Horse and its Ailments, by John Cox, M. R. C. V. S." It was with the aid of this volume that I used to doctor my old mare at Oxford. A leaf turned down. [_Reading._] "Simple remedies for chills--the Bolus." The helpless beast in my stable is suffering from a chill. Good gracious! If I allow Blore to risk my fifty pounds on Dandy Dick, surely it would be advisable to administer this Bolus to the poor animal without delay. [_Referring to the book hastily._] I have these drugs in my chest. There's not a moment to be lost! [_Going to the bell and ringing._] I shall want help. I'll fetch my medicine chest.