Penelope: A Comedy in Three Acts

by W. Somerset Maugham

Where have you been all this time?

Penelope.

I—I’ve been sitting in the consulting-room. [With a roguish smile.] I watched you all come in.

Mrs. Golightly.

[Rather injured.] Peyton said you were out.

Barlow.

Really, Penelope, I think your behaviour is outrageous.

Penelope.

You see, I thought if I saw you one after the other as you came in, I should have to make four scenes instead of one. It would have been very exhausting and not nearly so effective.

Golightly.