Mr. Dryman. Truly "he eateth with publicans and sinners."
Mr. F. (Not noticing Mr. D's remark.) One would think this last appropriation of the vaunted hero would be sufficient to convince the most radical of the demoralizing influence of these publications.
Frank. (Modestly.) How differently people judge. Why, last evening, when I saw crowds of the hardened and dissipated shedding tears of honest sympathy, when Uncle Tom and Eva sang,
"I see a band of spirits bright,
And conquering palms they bear"—
I felt that the moral sentiment was asserting its supremacy even in places of amusement.
Mr. F. Worse and worse, my nephew and namesake a theatre-goer.
Mr. D. (In an under tone.) Namesake! "that's the unkindest cut of all."
Frank. Not exactly a theatre-goer, uncle, though I confess I might be, were the performance always as excellent as last evening.
Mrs. Goodman. Frank, my son, I hope thee will not attempt to drink from a dirty pool because a pure stream flows into it.
Frank. But the rank and file of Democracy drank deep libations to Liberty there, mother.