[PEPPERPOT’S LITTLE PETS!]
In One Act.
DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.
- JACK PEPPERPOT, late H. M. 147th Foot.
- DOCTOR JACOBUS JOGTROT.
- MR. CHRISTOPHER CHIRPER.
- STEPHEN BLUNT.
- MRS. TARLETAN.
- JESSIE (her niece).
- MARTHA (a servant).
SCENE.—Mrs. Tarletan’s Villa at Hampstead.
Elegantly furnished room at MRS. TARLETAN’S villa. French windows at back showing garden beyond; doors R. H. 3 E. and L.; fireplace at L. H. 2 E.; table, chairs, sofa, etc. MARTHA discovered arranging furniture, etc. (bell heard without).
MARTHA. There’s the gate bell beginning. Butcher for orders, I suppose. (Bell heard again.) I thought so; he’s the most impatient young man I ever came across! Asked me if I’d marry him only yesterday morning when he called for orders, and was quite saucy because I hadn’t made up my mind when he brought the meat! I must go and ask missus. (Exit door R. JACK PEPPERPOT is seen to cross at back beyond the French windows; looks cautiously in at C.).
JACK. No one to be seen; so much the better. (Calling off.) Now then, Blunt, come along! take care how you turn the corner; that’ll do. (Enters at C., walking backward, closely followed by STEPHEN BLUNT, in an undress military jacket and cap, carrying a box covered with Chinese characters.) Left wheel! halt. (Takes box carefully from BLUNT and places it on small table—opens lid.) Nothing broken, I hope. No; I don’t even see a chip!
BLUNT. That’s a wonder, too, your honor! cups and saucers is rather a delicate sort of cargo to bring all the way from China.