MRS. W. Look at the clock, mamma!
MRS. C. Half-past two!
_Enter LARKINGS, at C. from L._
LARK. What's that? Half-past two? No such thing, gentlemen--I appeal
to you! Out with your watches! (_LARKINGS and GENTLEMEN take out their
watches--each presenting his to his LADY_)
LARK. }
} Half-past one!
GENTS. }
MRS. W. Another hour! Delightful!
MRS. C. Charming! (_polka music resumed_) Mrs. Woodcock, allow me.
(_polka--MRS. CARVER seizing her former partner and whirling him out
after the others, at C. to L._)
WOOD. (_who has been standing looking on with the opera cloaks, &c.,
&c., in his arms--dashes them down in a lump on the stage_) That's a
failure! Then I won't go home at all! I'll sleep here! (_seizing up
the cloaks, &c., and dashing them one after the other on the sofa, L.
C., and then throwing himself upon them_) There! (_burying his head in
the pillow_) This is very comfortable----
_SWANSDOWN hurries in, at L., very pale and excited._
SWANS. (_as he enters_) Woodcock! Woodcock! (_seeing him on sofa_) Ah,
there he is! (_shaking him_) Woodcock, get up!
WOOD. (_jumping up_) Halloa, Swansdown, come back again!
SWANS. (_with a savage grin, R._) Yes! ha, ha, ha! (_with a forced
laugh_)
WOOD. (_L._) Don't make such dreadful faces! What's the matter?