Corn. (turns quickly, coming back to C.) Helen! You’re too prying by half! Peter never imagined for a moment that you’d rake them out.
Dunn looks at Corney inquiringly.
Hat. (R.) Oh, Helen; they’re not so very dreadful! At least, the one I read wasn’t.
Hel. What! Oh, Carrie! What are we to do?
Corn. There’s not so much harm in these French books after all. They’re very much over-rated—I mean, exaggerated.
Dunn. I suppose Dobbin sent them up in a mistake for a bundle of circulars. (aside to Corney, with paper, his back to audience) What is it? What’s the idea?
Corn. Old Sillocks! Must stand well with the father. It’s all right, you can bear it. I cannot stand wrong——
Bea. Corney!
Corn. Oh, excuse me, Bea.
Joins Beatrice and exits with her in earnest conversation R. U. E., after pushing Hattie out of the way.