Mr. Edwards. “Well, I’m going out, and you can receive the Billises, and if it’s necessary for me to say anything to give go to the play, you can say it. I make you my proxy.”
Mrs. Edwards. “It can’t be done, Robert. They are here. The bell rang ten minutes ago, and they ought to have got in here five minutes since. You can’t go out without meeting them in the wings—I mean the hallway.”
Mr. Edwards. “Lost!”
Enter Mr. and Mrs. Billis.
Billis. “Ah, Edwards! Howdy do? Knew you were home. Saw light in—”
Mrs. Billis. “Don’t rattle on so, my dear. Speak more slowly, or the farce will be over before nine.”
Billis. “I’ve got to say my lines, and I’m going to say them my way. Ah, Edwards! Howdy do? Knew you were home. Saw light in window. Knew your economical spirit. Said to myself must be home, else why gas? He doesn’t burn gas when he’s out. Wake up—”
Mr. Edwards. “I’m not asleep. Fact is, I am going out.”
Mrs. Billis. “Out?”
Mrs. Edwards. “Robert!”