-Any Wife to
any Husband.
SCENE -A Naini Tal dinner for thirty-four. Plate, wines, crockery,
and khitmatgars care fully calculated to scale of Rs. 6000 per
mensem, less Exchange. Table split lengthways by bank of
flowers.
MRS. HERRIOTT. (After conversation has risen to proper pitch.)
Ah! 'Didn't see you in the crush in the drawing-room. (Sotto voce.)
Where have you been all this while, Pip?
CAPTAIN GADSBY. (Turning from regularly ordained dinner
partner and settling hock glasses.) Good evening. (Sotto voce.)
Not quite so loud another time. You've no notion how your voice
carries. (Aside.) So much for shirking the written explanation. It'll
have to be a verbal one now. Sweet prospect! How on earth am I
to tell her that I am a respectable, engaged member of society and
it's all over between us?
MRS. H. I've a heavy score against you. Where were you at the
Monday Pop? Where were you on Tuesday? Where were you at
the Lamonts' tennis? I was looking everywhere.
CAPT. G. For me! Oh, I was alive somewhere, I suppose.
(Aside.) It's for Minnie's sake, but it's going to be dashed
unpleasant.
MRS. H. Have I done anything to offend you? I never meant it if I
have.
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