Mr. S. Ah, yes, woman’s curiosity! How do you know but it may be privacy?
Mrs. S. I am satisfied that it is not. At all events, I’m willing to run the risk.
Mr. S. Courageous woman! Then I will venture to open it. (Cuts off edge of envelope and draws out a small, square piece of paper which he begins to read aloud.)
“You thief, you! You villain, you! So you’ve basely gone off and taken my best dress and bonnet, and all the silver my father gave me when I was married! I suppose you intended to adorn your wife with the clothes you stole! But you shan’t do it, as sure as my name is Dorothy Ann. I’ve got track of you, and just as quick as I can get money enough, I’m coming right along after you. You’re a mean, shiftless, lazy, good-for-nothing villain, and if you don’t send all back within a week, I’ll send the police after you.”
Mr. S. (turns towards his wife, smiling). There’s quite an inducement for John Smith. What do you think of that for a character? I’d better not have read the letter aloud. Perhaps you will begin to repent having married me.
Mrs. S. I ought to, certainly, if this letter is true. But you haven’t given me the dress and bonnet yet.
Mr. S. No, I never thought of it. I wonder if it was the wife of this John Smith whose bill I paid.
Mrs. S. Don’t know. I think it’s doubtful if you ever find the one to whom it rightfully belongs.
Mr. S. I must try, at all events. I don’t feel like losing so much money, or paying other people’s dressmaker’s bills.
(Curtain falls.)