Sir H. It’ll be new to us, at any rate.
Alma. Sir Humphrey, sit down. (Sir Humphrey sits at back of table) Doctor, you shall be my audience.
Dr. (rising; also Mrs. Dozey) Pardon me, but it is against my principles.
Alma. Did I say audience? I meant congregation.
Mrs. D. (sits) Ah! (goes to sleep)
Dr. That removes my scruples. There is no evil in an audience, regarded in the aspect of a congregation. (sits)
Alma. Don’t make yourself too comfortable, Ned. I shall want you to play a leading part. Dick, you shall be the front row of the pit. (Dick brings chair down, C. Re-enter Susan, R.C.) And here comes Susan, just in time to be the prompter. Ready? (sits on sofa) Curtain up. Hero and heroine, a young married couple. They’re very fond of one another—very happy. So the play opens brightly.
Dick. Wife working slippers—husband smoking—embraces—footstool business—the old fake—told you so.
Alma. The husband is an author, like Mr. Chetwynd; and as the act progresses, his wife grows rather jealous.