Mrs. Roberts, without: “I ran out here, thinking it was my aunt. She’s played us a trick, and hasn’t come yet.”
Bemis, entering the drawing-room with Mrs. Roberts: “I hope she won’t fail altogether. I haven’t met her for twenty years, and I counted so much upon the pleasure—Hello, Lawton!”
Lawton: “Hullo, old fellow!” They fly at each other, and shake hands. “Glad to see you again.”
Bemis, reaching his left hand to Mr. Roberts, while Mr. Lawton keeps his right: “Ah! Mr. Roberts.”
Lawton: “Oh, never mind him. He’s merely the husband of the hostess.”
Mrs. Miller, to Roberts: “What does he mean?”
Roberts: “Oh, nothing. Merely a joke he’s experimenting with.”
Lawton to Bemis: “Where’s your boy?”
Bemis: “He’ll be here directly. He preferred to walk. Where’s your girl?”
Lawton: “Oh, she’ll come by and by. She preferred to drive.”