CRUM. Capital. Ha, ha, ha! (holding his sides)
MOUS. Delicious. Ha, ha! (imitating him)
BET. Glorious. Ha, ha! (aside) I wonder what I’m laughing at.
MRS. M. (L.) Mr. Mouser, I insist on your instantly explaining.
CRUM. He can’t speak for laughing—can you, Mouser? (nudging MOUSER, who is looking very serious)
MOUS. (R. H.) No. (bursting out again) Ha, ha, ha!
MRS. M. (to BETSY) Young woman, speak this moment! (angrily)
BET. (R. C., alarmed) Yes, ma’am. It’s not my fault, ma’am, indeed it isn’t—(half crying)—but you see, ma’am. (CRUMMY nudges her—then suddenly) Ha, ha, ha!
CRUM. (crosses L. C.) I must explain after all, I see—Anastasia Mouser, not an hour since—and in terms as forcible as they were pathetic—you brought a grave and heavy charge against your husband.
MRS. M. (aside to CRUMMY, and rapidly) Hush!