AN OBJECT OF COMPASSION.
VOCES POPULI.
COCKNEY COQUETRY: A STUDY IN REGENT'S PARK.
SCENE—Near the Band-Stand. TIME—7 P.M. on a Sunday in August.
CHARACTERS.
Polly (about 22; a tall brunette, of the respectable lower middle-class, with a flow of light badinage, and a taste for tormenting.)
Flo (18; her friend; shorter, somewhat less pronounced in manner; rather pretty, simply and tastefully dressed; milliner or bonnet-maker's apprentice.)
Mr. Ernest Hawkins (otherwise known as "ERNIE 'ORKINS"; 19 or 20; short, sallow, spectacled; draper's assistant; a respectable and industrious young fellow, who chooses to pass in his hours of ease as a blasé misogynist).
Alfred (his friend; shorter and sallower; a person with a talent for silence, which he cultivates assiduously).
POLLY and FLO are seated upon chairs by the path, watching the crowd promenading around the enclosure where the Band is playing.
Polly (to FLO). There's ERNIE 'ORKINS;—he doesn't see us yet. 'Ullo, ERNIE, come 'ere and talk to us, won't you?
Flo. Don't, POLLY. I'm sure I don't want to talk to him!
Polly. Now you know you do, FLO,—more than I do, if the truth was known. It's all on your account I called out to him.