Curph. (to himself). Could I break it to her gently, I wonder. (Aloud.) Never—my professional duties make that impossible.
Charles (to himself). I knew he was a muff! (Aloud.) I should have thought you could easily get a pass to any place you wanted to go—in your profession.
Curph. (to himself). He suspects something. (Aloud.) Should you? Why?
Charles. Oh, as you're on a newspaper, you know. Don't they always have a free pass for everywhere?
Curph. If they have, I have never had occasion to make use of it.
Charles. Well, of course you may turn up your nose at music-halls, and say they're not intellectual enough for you.
Curph. Pardon me, I never said I turned up my nose at them, though you'll admit they don't profess to make a strong appeal to the intellect.
Charles. If they did, you wouldn't catch me there. But I can tell you, it's not so bad as you seem to think; every now and then they get hold of a really good thing. You might do worse than drop into the El. or the Val., the Valhalla, you know, some evening—just to hear Walter Wildfire.
Curph. Much obliged; but I can't imagine myself going there for such a purpose.
Mrs. T. Charles, if you suppose Mr. Curphew would allow himself to be corrupted by a boy like you——