Maria (entering, soliloquizing). My plot has been carried out well thus far. I don’t think uncle recognized the policeman. It is astonishing how the habit of complaining gains on one. But if a person is unreasonable, and given to complaining, there is nothing that will effect a cure so soon as taking him at his word. (Uncle enters, L.) Ah, have you returned so soon, uncle? I have felt quite anxious about you, fearing you might take more cold.
Mr. C. You are a very successful little manager, Maria, upon my word. I felt mortified enough on starting from my own house in the character of a criminal. But I could blame no one but myself, since my orders were all obeyed, not only very promptly, but very literally. Then I thought what an unreasonable bear I was, and what a patient little nurse you were, and by the time we stopped I had become quite subdued. Then I discovered that the policeman was my old and valued friend, Mr. Preston. It all flashed upon my mind that it was a plot to bring me to my senses, and to show how unreasonable I was.
M. Oh, no, uncle, not that exactly. We only aimed to show you that you imagined yourself worse than you really were. But hadn’t you better lie down awhile? You are not accustomed to such exertion.
Mr. C. No; I am thoroughly cured in mind and body. Nothing would tempt me to personate again the miserable hypochondriac I was when I left the house. I am cured, and I mean to stay so.
(Curtain falls.)
AUNT PATIENCE’S EAR-TRUMPET.
CHARACTERS.
| Mrs. Granby. | |
| Clara, | Her Daughter. |
| Aunt Patience Burton, | a Lady of Property. |
| Ernest Montgomery, | Clara’s Suitor. |
| Servant. |
Scene I.—Mrs. Granby’s sitting-room. Mrs. G., C., with sober countenance, holds in her hand an open letter, on which her eyes are fixed. Enter her daughter Clara, R.
Clara. Does your letter contain any sad news, ma?