The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-08-22


She GnterruptinR)-I'm afraid can't
wait now even to hear so valuable an
opinion as your mothers. Ueaves the
room to do her housekeeping)
He lin great astonishment)-I do be-
lieve she's huffy again! How funny
women are, should have thought
she would have been only too glad to
benefit by an older woman's advice.
hope she isn't going to take offense at
everything I say. lights his cigar
and settles rather gloomiy to the
morning paper)
SCENE II.
She (having afternoon tea with her
dearest friend)-My dear Loo, it's be-
coming perfectly unbearable. You
know how we'll Jack and | got on at
first; but since he has taken to quot
ing his mothers opinion from morning
till night I'm getting sick of the sound
of her very name. It's the mater
this and the mater" that all day
long.
Dearest Friend-Poor dear! 1t must
be rather a nuisance
She (poutinE)-Rather a nuisance!
It's unbearable! The worst of it is
I'm very fond of the old lady, and now
he's beginning to make me hate the
sight of her.
Dearest Friend-You must cure him
at once. dear. before he gets any worse.
These things must be nipped in the
bud-at the first.
She Cdolefully)-It is easy enough 60
say these things must be nipped in
the bud'-but how?
Dearest Friend thinking depply)--
Wait-let me think a minute. Bright
ening up suddenly | know.
She eagerly)-How? What?
Dearest Friend-Turn the tables on
him; ram his mother down his throat;
quote her opinions all day. That will
soon stop him.
She (doubtfully)-Will it? Are you
sure it won't make him worse?
Dearest Friend (emphatically)-Try
it, my dear Trust me. I've been mar
ried longer than you have.
She trisng)-Well, can but try. but
(despondently) I'm afraid it won't be
much good, I'll write and let you
know the result.
Dearest Friend (cheerfully)-Yes
mind YOU do. Goodbye, dear
CNIsANE lDtNA w l.NNT ttNJOM-A r.
TER DINNER.
She-I went about the tablemaid's
character today, Jack.
He-The tablemaid? l thought we
had decided to only keep two maids to
begin with, Nell?
She (pleasantly)-Yes but your moth
er says 1t would be quite impossible to
keep London house clean with only
two maids.
He-Oh. well. OF course. if the mater
really thinks it necessary, l suppose
we must
She (aside)-There knew it would
only make him worse
He-What wages are you giving her?
She-Twenty-seven pounds and all
found.
He (blankly)-Rather stiff, isn't it?
She-I don't think so. Your mother
seemed to think it was about right.
He Ga little crossly)-My ar Nell,
you must remember the dear old mater
is little eXtravagant in some of her
ideas. OF course (hurriedly) she's much
better off than we are.
She (decidedly)-WeH, I've promised
the girl the wages now, and she Is
coming on Monday. CDismissing the
subject airly)-Just pass me the paper
Jack
He (absenty passing her the papeD-
WheTe the deuce is the coffee tonight?
She (calmly)-I told the cook not to
send up any more after dinner.
He Grritably)-What on earth for?
She-I asked your mother how hers
was made, and she was Mortified to
hear you took il twice a day. She
says she Is sure that is why you have
been sleeping so badly lately,
He (coldly)-Kindly tell the cook
Wen begin it again tomorrow.
She-I will dear, Of course, If you
really want it, but your mother said
He dnterrupting)-Give me the pa
per, please, Nell, II you are not going
to read it.
She (smling gently to herselO-Cer-
tainly, dear, l don't particularly want
to read.
He (takes the paper and sits staring
at it moment in amazemenO-Why
Nell, this is the Evening Advertiser;
where is my Evening Standard?
She (sweetly)-Oh, | was telling your
mother we took the Standard today,
Jack, and she said she thought the
print was dreadfully trying. She said
she was sure it was very bad for your
eyes, so | thought we would change TO
the Advertiser
He drawing himself up)-Really,
Nell, don't think you need take upon
yourself of change my paper without
even consulting me.
She (apologetically)-Tm so sorry,
dear; l never thought you'd mind
Your mother seemed so anxious you
shouldn't try your eyes. She says they
have never been very strong since your
operation,
He (hot end uncomfortable)-Mot
are always over anxious and (even