MRS. P. Then, why were you astonished when you found I was?
ETHEL. Because, my love, I had dismissed the rumour as incredible.
MRS. P. And who did rumour say had got possession of me?
ETHEL. Rumour didn’t say that anyone had got possession of you, dear; it said that you had got possession of him.
MRS. P. Of whom?
ETHEL. I really couldn’t catch his name—they spoke of him as “that poor fellow.”
MRS. P. I don’t think that Captain Plunger stands in need of their commiseration.
ETHEL. Captain Plunger! What, is Captain Plunger married?
MRS. P. Captain Plunger is.