Bemis: ‘Nor Mr. Roberts annoyed. We’re fellow-sufferers in this business.’
Lawton: ‘Oh, leave it to me, leave it to me! I’ll spare their feelings. Don’t be afraid. Ah, there they come! Now don’t say anything. I’ll just step into the anteroom here.’
II
MR. ROBERTS, MR. CAMPBELL, AND THE OTHERS
Roberts, entering the room before Campbell, and shaking hands with his guests: ‘Ah, Mr. Bemis; Mrs. Bemis; Aunt Mary! You’ve heard of our comical little coincidence—our—Mr. Bemis and my—’ He halts, confused, and looks around for the moral support of Willis, who follows hilariously.
Willis: ‘Greatest joke on record! But I won’t spoil it for you, Roberts. Go on!’ In a low voice to Roberts: ‘And don’t look so confoundedly down in the mouth. They won’t think it’s a joke at all.’
Roberts, with galvanic lightness: ‘Yes, yes—such a joke! Well, you see—you see—’
Mrs. Crashaw: ‘See what, Edward? Do get it out!’
Willis, jollily: ‘Ah, ha, ha!’
Roberts, lugubriously: ‘Ah, ha, ha!’
Mrs. Bemis: ‘How funny! Ha, ha, ha!’