THEN. SCENE--_Dining-Room in MRS. GRUNDY's House. The
Misses GRUNDY and their Mother discovered at Luncheon._
_Eldest Miss G._ Oh, Mamma, do take us to see _Formosa_ at Drury Lane!
_Mrs. Grundy_. My dear! Why, it's absolutely shocking! All the papers
are ringing with the impropriety! Couldn't _possibly_ go!
_Second Miss G._ But, Mamma dear, the Boat-Race Scene is _so_
excellent. We might sit at the back of the box, and put our fingers in
our ears when you signalled to us.
_Mrs. Grundy_. Well, as you say, the Boat-Race Scene is excellent, and
as for impropriety, we must ignore it.
[_Exeunt to get places for Drury Lane._
NOW. _Scene as before, Time and situation as before, Company
as before_.
_Eldest Miss G._ Oh, Mother darling, do take us to see _Formosa_ at
Drury Lane!
_Mrs. Grundy_. Certainly. I hear the Boat-Race Scene beats the record.
_Second Miss G._ It is simply magnificent, and the dialogue is so
interesting. Twenty years ago they said it was improper! As IBSEN
would observe, "Only fancy that!"
_Mrs. Grundy_. Did they? Well, as you say, the Boat-Race Scene is
excellent; and as for the impropriety,--in these days of _Ghosts,
Pillars of Society_, and _Dancing Girls_, we haven't time to notice
it!
[_Exeunt to get places for Drury Lane._
* * * * *