Uncle Grumpy; And Other Plays  (English, Paperback, Robert St. John Corbet)

Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: A SEARCH FOR A SON. (scene—A Boudoir!) (janetta dusting,) Janetta.—Dust, dust, dust! Till my wrists and elbows ache, Dust, dust, dust! Till my back is about to break. And it's oh! with an outstretch'd I must polish the music-stand, Must brighten the doors, And scrub the floors, And flannel and soap the stairs! Must groom the pug, And the Brussels rug, And curry-comb all the chairs! (Reposes on sofa.) I don't see that any one has a better right to lie on this sofa than I have, for I have washed and dressed it for the last two years and been like a mother to it! Well, I must get up now, for her ladyship will be here in a minute or two. Dust, dust, dust! Till I've swallow'd a peck or more: Dust, dust, dust! Till my throat is gritty and sore ! [Exit saying, Dust, dust, dust! (Enter Lady M'NooDLE and Miss Carbin arm in arm.) Miss C.—After so good a breakfast, dear Lady M'Noodle, you will feel more composed I hope. Lady M'N.—More composed, Miss Car- bin ? Do you think that a good breakfast makes up for a lost son ? (Sits down.) Miss C,—Oh no ! but we can bear a loss more composedly after a little refreshment than on an empty stomach. Lady M'N.—Had I eaten six breakfasts instead of one, I should enjoy no composure. Miss C. (sitting down).—Six breakfasts would discompose you dreadfully, Lady M'Noodle, and I entreat you not to resort to so severe a remedy. It might be fatal. Lady M'N.—As a good many remedies are ! I shall eat but one breakfast a day! Miss C.—That is indeed a wise resolve, but everything you do shows wisdom and sound judgment. In time, your son will return or you will easily bear the loss. Lady M'N.—I don't agree with you at all, but it is useless to argue. If eating would bring back my son, I would dine si...