_Second Emp._ (_her Friend_). Well, that was hard upon her!
_First Member of the Public_ (_entering briskly and putting coppers on the counter_). Now then, three penny stamps, please!
_First Emp._ (_to her Friend_). Yes, as you say, it _was_ hard, as of course the matter of the pic-nic was no affair of hers.
_Second Emp._ (_sympathetically_). Of course not! They are all alike, my dear!--all alike!
_First Mem. of the Pub._ (_impatiently_). Now then, three penny stamps please!
_First Emp._ Well, you are in a hurry! (_To her Friend_). And from that day to this she has never heard from him.
_Second Emp._ And it would have been so easy to drop her a postcard from Herne Bay.
_First Mem. of the Pub._ Am I to be kept waiting all day? Three penny postage-stamps, please.
_First Emp._ (_leisurely_). What do you want?
_First Mem. of the Pub._ (_angrily_). Three penny postage-stamps, and look sharp about it!
_First Emp._ (_giving stamp_). Threepence.
_First Mem. of the Pub._ (_furious_). A threepenny stamp! I want three penny stamps. Three stamps costing a penny each. See?
_First Emp._ (_with calm unconcern_). Then why didn't you say so before? (_Supplies stamps and turns to Friend._) Then MARIA of course wanted to go to Birchington.
_Second Emp._ Why Birchington? Why did she want to go to Birchington?
_First Emp._ Well--_he_ of course was at Herne Bay.
_Second Emp._ Ah, now I begin to understand her artfulness.
_First Emp._ Ah, there you are right, my dear! She _was_ artful!
[_Enter Second Member of the Public, covered up in cloaks and only showing the tip of his nose._
_Second Mem. of the Pub._ (_in a feeble voice_). Can you tell me, please, when the Mail starts for India?
_First Emp._ Well, the sea air _is_ the sea air. And that reminds me, what do you think of this tobacco-pouch for--
_Second Emp._ (_archly_). For I know who! Why, you have got his initials in forget-me-nots!
_First Emp._ I think them so pretty, and they are very easy to do.
_Second Mem. of the Pub._ (_in a rather louder voice_). Can you tell me, please, when the Mail starts for India?
_Second Emp._ I must say, dear, you have the most perfect taste. Well, he will be ungrateful if he isn't charmed with them! Absolutely charmed!
_Second Mem, of the Pub._ (_louder still_). Will you be so good as to say when the Mail starts for India?