Trelawny of The "Wells": A Comedietta in Four Acts

by Arthur Wing Pinero

Telfer.

[Again rising.] Ladies and gentlemen. Bumpers, I charge ye! The toast I 'ad next intended to propose was Our Immortal Bard, Shakspere, and I had meant, myself, to 'ave offered a few remarks in response——

Gadd.

[To Imogen, bitterly.] Ha!

Telfer.

But with our friend's horses champing their bits, I am compelled—nay, forced—to postpone this toast to a later period of the day, and to give you now what we may justly designate the toast of the afternoon. Ladies and gentlemen, we are about to lose, to part with, one of our companions, a young comrade who came amongst us many months ago, who in fact joined the company of the "Wells" last February twelvemonth, after a considerable experience in the provinces of this great country.

Colpoys.

Hear, hear!

Avonia.

[Tearfully.] Hear, hear! [With a sob.] I detested her at first.