Mrs. Dot: A Farce

by W. Somerset Maugham

Mrs. Dot.

Oh. [She opens it and gives a cry.] Good heavens! Oh, the deceitful wretch! Lady Sellenger, how shall I tell you? It’s from Nellie.

Lady Sellenger.

From Nellie!

Mrs. Dot.

[Reading.] “Dear Mrs. Dot, I’m just off to marry Freddie. Break it to Mamma gently.”

Lady Sellenger.

[Starting up.] Impossible! Stop them! Stop them! Where are they?

Mrs. Dot.

[Reading.] “I couldn’t marry Gerald. He’s too great a”—there’s a word in big letters. I never could read capitals.