[This remark is prompted by the sound of Mr. Eccles entering the front door, and having a tipsy altercation with the maid.
Maid.
Eccles.
[Joyously.] Evening—hic—me children. Bless you, bless you!
Esther.
Good evening, father.
Eccles.
Won’t you—hic—speak to yer old father-in-law, Georgie? [George says nothing.] Ah, pride, pride, cruel pride! You come before a fall, you do! [Lurches heavily against the table, and subsides into a chair.] Funny, that! Almost—hic—seemed as if the proverb was a-coming true that time!
George.