Mrs. Dot: A Farce

by W. Somerset Maugham

Mrs. Dot.

Dearest!

Blenkinsop.

[Trying to restrain himself.] Pet!

[He goes into the garden. Mrs. Dot begins to laugh. Freddie comes in, with letters in his hand.

Freddie.

I say, I wish you’d just have a look at these letters.

Mrs. Dot.

Oh, yes. I want to have a little talk with you, Freddie. [She takes one of the letters and reads.] “I am directed by Mrs. Worthley to congratulate you on the recent addition to your family, but to express her regret that she cannot accede to your request.” How brutal you are, Freddie! Surely Mrs. Murphy is an old friend.

Freddie.