I was _horribly_ rude. It slipped out before I thought. Don't you know
the temptation to say frightful and shocking things just for the mere
sake of saying them? I'm afraid I gave way to it.
CAPT. G. (_Watching the girl as she flushes_.) I _think_ I know the
feeling. It would be terrible if we all yielded to it, wouldn't it?
For instance, I might say--
POOR DEAR MAMMA. (_Entering, habited, hatted, and booted_.) Ah, Captain
Gadsby! 'Sorry to keep you waiting. 'Hope you haven't been bored. 'My
little girl been talking to you?
MISS T. (_Aside_.) I'm not sorry I spoke about the rheumatism. I'm
not! I'm NOT! I only wish I'd mentioned the corns too.
CAPT. G. (_Aside_.) What a shame! I wonder how old she is. It never
occurred to me before. (_Aloud_.) We've been discussing 'Shakespeare
and the musical glasses' in the veranda.
MISS T. (_Aside._) Nice man! He knows that quotation. He _isn't_ a
Philistine with a moustache. (_Aloud._) Good-bye, Captain Gadsby.
(_Aside._) What a huge hand and _what_ a squeeze! I don't suppose he
meant it, but he has driven the rings into my fingers.
POOR DEAR MAMMA.
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