Mad. P. (Running to meet her.) Why, how charming you look, Mrs. Compton.
Mrs. C. (Dropping in chair.) I’m nearly starved to death. I haven’t eaten a bite of meat for three days.
Mad. P. Abstinence and Madame Princeton’s Anti-fat will do the business. Take a dose now, (pours out wine glass full). That will revive you. It operates on the fat glands and allays their abnormal activity. It is excitement of the fat glands which causes excessive flesh. Do you feel better? You’ve lost, I should say, fifteen pounds the last week.
Mrs. C. Madame Princeton, I just feel completely gone. Why, when the girl brought in Mr. Compton’s breakfast this morning, I felt like a wild animal. I just wanted to grab his steak and tear it with my fingers and teeth.
Mad. P. But you must not indulge your appetite.
Mrs. C. I dare not or Mr. Compton would suspect. Heaven forgive me the lies I’ve told that man. And I a church member, too. Told him one day I had no appetite, and the next a headache, and the next that I had lunched hastily down town. Dear me, what can I tell him next!
Mad. P. Does he suspect you?
Mrs. C. I’m afraid so. He said this morning if I didn’t eat pretty soon he’d send for the doctor.
Mad. P. Keep it up three days more and then we’ll surprise him. You will have lost at least thirty pounds by that time. Your husband will be delighted at your improved appearance.