Penelope: A Comedy in Three Acts

by W. Somerset Maugham

Hulloa, can I speak to Mr. Barlow? Hulloa, is that you, Uncle Davenport? No, I didn’t go to Paris after all. [With a wink at Penelope.] Mrs. Mack had a sudden relapse, and couldn’t be moved. No, Mrs. Fergusson hasn’t gone either.

[Peyton comes in.

Peyton.

Mrs. Fergusson is in the drawing-room, ma’am.

Dickie.

[Speaking down the telephone.] What! Half a minute. Hold on.

Penelope.

I’ve been expecting her all the afternoon. Ask her if she wouldn’t mind coming up here.

Peyton.

Very well, ma’am.