[Loud applause.
Mater. (to her husband). Ah, I never left you, Richard!
Pater. (to his wife). Nor I you, Bridget!
Angelina (aside). I suppose married life must be very wearisome.
(Ten minutes pass.)
Second Heroine (on the stage). And now I will tell you the secret of my life. I never loved my husband. He gave me all I required—fine clothes, sparkling jewels, an opera box. But his presents were insults in disguise, and I left him.
[Loud applause.
Pater. I did not insult you by handing you too many gifts, Bridget?
Mater. Indeed you did not, Richard. In fact, I think you carried your abstention too far.
Pater. Not at all. See, after these many years, we are devoted to one another!