Enter MARIA, door, L. 1 E.
MRS. SWEET. Has Mr. Billington’s aunt sent the book of the fashions she promised the other day to Mrs. Short?
MARIA. No, ma’am.
MRS. SWEET. Send Stephen for it directly then, and as soon as it comes bring it to me—don’t make any mistake now, bring it to me—you understand?
MARIA. Very well, ma’am.
Exit, L. C.
SWEET. (aside) She is off at a tangent now, about her finery. (aloud) Your grief appears to be of short duration, ma’am.
MRS. SWEET. I am sure I was quite in despair about it, but Louisa has kindly undertaken to put matters to rights for me.
SWEET. Mrs. Short, then, has undertaken more than she has any authority for, and may find the task more difficult than she supposes.
MRS. SWEET. Oh, I hope not, but if she doesn’t succeed, I shall go another way to work—a sharp knife will soon settle the business.