Mrs. Toov. (to herself, relieved). To the Val.! What a fright I've had for nothing! (Aloud.) I quite understand, Charles. You took your Uncle to a place called the Val., not the—er—El. What did you see there? that's the point!
Charles. I didn't take Uncle there; I was with a man from our office when I saw him. I must have seen him there often enough, but somehow I never spotted him before. It was the make-up, the disguise, you know, wig and moustache, and all that.
Mrs. Toov. Do you mean to say your Uncle attends music-halls disguised in a wig and moustache? Charles, who was he with? I will know!
Charles (in fits of laughter). Uncle? At the Val. in disguise? now, is it likely? I thought you knew all about it, or I shouldn't have said a word!
Mrs. Toov. You have said too much to stop now, Charles. It is useless to try to turn it off like that. If it was not Pa you recognised at this Val. place, who was it?
Charles (to himself). If I don't tell her she'll only go on suspecting poor old Uncle Theo. (Aloud.) Well, you're bound to find it out sooner or later; and I admire him all the more for it myself. I'd no idea he had it in him. Shows how mistaken you may be in fellows.
Mrs. Toov. I've yet to learn who and what you are talking about, Charles!
Charles. Why, that quiet, modest friend of yours, Mr. Clarence Curphew, if you must know!
Mrs. Toov. I don't believe it. Mr. Curphew is not at all the sort of young man to spend his money in such resorts.
