MRS. P. I suppose it's not the season just now.
EDWIN. I supposed so, too, until my first week's bill came in, when I
discovered that the season was exactly at its height--at least, the
charges were at theirs.
MRS. P. What in the world induced you to come here?
EDWIN. I wasn't induced to come here. I was brought.
MRS. P. Indeed. Who brought you?
EDWIN. Mrs. Larkspur.
MRS. P. Mrs. Larkspur!
EDWIN. (_aside_) Oh dear me, what _have_ I said? Yes, I was brought
here by--my mother.
MRS. P. Oh, your mother. Then, your mother's here?
EDWIN. Yes, she was recommended the sea air.
MRS. P. She's not well?
EDWIN. No, she's not very well. In fact she's so ill that she has to
keep her room.
MRS. P. Oh dear, I'm sorry to hear that. I fear, then, I shan't see
her.
EDWIN. I'm afraid you won't--(_aside_) considering she's been dead
this twenty years.
MRS. P. But you're not quite alone here, I perceive. I met Miss
Darlington upon the stairs.
EDWIN. Yes, she is staying here.
MRS. P. Upon the look out for a husband, I suppose. How very plain
she's grown!
EDWIN. Plain?
MRS. P. Don't you think so?
EDWIN. Well, perhaps she isn't quite so pretty as she used to be.
MRS. P. Pretty? She never was that. She once had a passable figure.
EDWIN. An exquisite figure.
MRS. P. Do you think so? What extraordinary taste you men have!
Anyhow, she's gone off.
EDWIN. (_jumping up_) Gone off! What, with Captain Plunger?
MRS. P. Ha, ha, ha! You didn't think he'd run away with her? I meant,
gone off in looks.