Alth. I know; it was silly of me—but I didn't know what a theatre was like. I'd never been to see a play—not even at the Crystal Palace. But now I've been, I'd like to go to one every week; they're lovely, and I don't believe anything that makes you cry and laugh like that can be wicked!
Mrs. M. Ah, you were no more meant to be a little Puritan than I was myself, dear. Heavens! When I think what an abominable prig I must have been at Miss Pruins'.
Alth. You weren't in the least a prig, Cissie. But you were different. You used to say you intended to devote yourself entirely to Humanity.
Mrs. M. Yes; but I didn't realise then what a lot there were of them. And when I met Frank I thought it would be less ambitious to begin with him. Now I find there's humanity enough in Frank to occupy the devotion of a lifetime. But are you sure, Thea, that this journalist admirer of yours is quite the man to—— He sounds dull, dear; admirable and all that—but, oh, so deadly dull!
"Yes; but I didn't realise then what a lot there were of them."
Alth. If he was brilliant and fond of excitement we shouldn't have known him; for we're deadly dull ourselves, Cissie. I never knew how dull till—till I came to stay with you!
Mrs. M. You're not dull, you're a darling; and if you think I'm going to let you throw yourself away on some humdrum plodder who will expect you to find your sole amusement in hearing him prose, you're mistaken; because I shan't. Thea, whatever you do, don't be talked into marrying a Dryasdust; you'll only be miserable if you do!
Alth. But Mr. Curphew isn't as bad as that, Cissie. And—and he hasn't asked me yet, and when he finds out how frivolous I've become, very likely he never will; so we needn't talk about it any more, need we?
Mrs. M. Now I feel snubbed; but I don't care, it's all for your good, my dear, and I've said all I wanted to, so we'll change the subject for something more amusing. (Colonel Merridew comes in.) Well, Frank, have you actually condescended to come in for some tea? (To Althea.) Generally he says tea is all very well for women; and then goes off to his club and has at least two cups, and I daresay muffins.