Enter MR. SWEET, door, R. 2 E.
SWEET. Sorry to keep you waiting—couldn’t help it, upon my honour. Just as I was leaving the office, as the deuce would have it, in came a gentleman on business—large transfer of stock, &c. &c.—and so I lost the train. Never mind, there’s plenty of time, so I’ll just snap up a bit of something, and be ready in the crack of a whip. (sit at table, R., and eats voraciously)
MRS. SWEET. Why, how you are eating, William! One would think you hadn’t tasted anything before to-day.
SWEET. Nor more I have—to speak of—I was so late this morning, that I was obliged to run away without my breakfast.
MRS. SHORT. Oh, Mr. Sweet, how can you say so? Why, I helped you to half a dozen kidneys, at least—there wasn’t one left in the dish for Mr. Short, when he came down after you left.
MRS. SWEET. Ha, ha, ha!
SWEET. No—did you, though? My impression was I only took a cup of tea; (eats voraciously) but the fact is, I have so much upon my stomach—I mean upon my mind—in the way of business, that really these things make very little impression. However, hang business for to-day, at all events—we shall have a splendid afternoon for our ride—you’ll enjoy it, I know, Mrs. Short, immensely.
MRS. SHORT. Oh, yes, that I shall of all things—I haven’t been out for a ride once since my marriage, and I used to be such a horsewoman.
SWEET. No; Short don’t like it, I know.