THE BILLPOSTER. I should say so. The Summer was hot and a little long—the net turned out pretty good, but not as I had expected.
THE OFFICER. [With emphasis] Not as I had expected!—That is well said. Nothing ever was as I expected it to be—because the thought is more than the deed, more than the thing.
Walks to and fro, striking at the wall with the rose stems so that the last few leaves fall off.
THE BILLPOSTER. Has she not come down yet?
THE OFFICER. Not yet, but she will soon be here—Do you know what is behind that door, Billposter?
THE BILLPOSTER. No, I have never seen that door open yet.
THE OFFICER. I am going to telephone for a locksmith to come and open it. [Goes into the lodge.
[THE BILLPOSTER posts a bill and goes toward the right.
THE DAUGHTER. What is the matter with the dipnet?
THE BILLPOSTER. Matter? Well, I don't know as there is anything the matter with it—but it just didn't turn out as I had expected, and the pleasure of it was not so much after all.