Mrs. Dot: A Farce

by W. Somerset Maugham

[Aunt Eliza goes out. Mrs. Dot sinks into a chair, with a sigh of relief. Gerald comes in. She realises that he is behind her, but pretends not to notice him. He comes up softly.

Gerald.

Dot!

Mrs. Dot.

[Pretending to start.] Oh, how you frightened me! You might remember that my nerves are in a very agitated state.

Gerald.

You asked me a question a little while ago. I can answer it now.

Mrs. Dot.

I’m so sorry, I’ve quite forgotten what it was. It can’t have been of the smallest importance.

Gerald.