Minnie. (Bus. with ring) Oh, Arthur, how lovely! Oh, what a beauty! Oh, it is ever so much prettier than——
Horace. Of course. Of course. How like a woman! The diamonds are bigger and that settles the whole thing! (Lights down within house, only the exterior now shown.)
Messenger. Never mind, you said you were going to buy her a thimble to-morrow. What’s a diamond ring to a thimble?
Horace. I meant a present. I didn’t particularize so, I simply called it a thimble. But I’ll buy her a star to-morrow—an enormous star of diamonds. I’ll make Mr. Dicey sit up!
Messenger. So like a man. He thinks if the diamonds are bigger that will settle the whole thing.
Horace. Of course it is unnecessary. Minnie would not marry a brainless idiot like Dicey. Aunt Martha would see to that. After all, Aunt Martha is a sensible woman.
Messenger. Though somewhat narrow-minded.
Horace. She can’t help that, poor thing. Aunt Martha would never sit still and see Minnie sacrificed.
Messenger. Quite true. Let us hear her wishes. (Waves his hand and interior is again illuminated. Aunt and Mrs. Clarence are discovered seated.)