Regarding me thoughtfully for a moment, MARGARET asks, "What is an 'old
comedy?'"
I say to her, "An old comedy is to the comedy of to-day, precisely what
an old beau, padded, painted, simpering with false teeth, and leering
with rhumy eyes, is to a handsome, gallant young fellow, such as Mr.
LESTER WALLACK impersonates in _Ours_ or _School_."
To which she replies, "What are roomy eyes, dear?" (Being her fourth
cousin by marriage, I am a sort of maiden aunt to her,--whence this
respectful familiarity.) "Eyes in which there is room for the honest
glances that never show themselves?'"