MR. F.--Henny Penny was the nicest! The others were rather tough!
MRS. ROBERTS _discovered, in walking things_.
MRS. R.--I wish Mrs. Simonds would appear! It is so rude to keep people waiting in this way when they come to see you. (_Looks at books, etc._) Well, I wonder how much longer she's going to be. I would not have come if I had not wanted to explain to her about that bazaar we are getting up.
Ah, how do you do, darling? How are you? Will you shake hands? (PETSY _turns away_.) You don't know my name, do you?
P.--You're Mrs. Roberts. I know it, because the maid came and told Mamma so, and then Mamma said, "Mrs. Roberts, bother!" and she told me to come and say she would be here in a minute.
MRS. R.--(_Aside._) Delightful child, this. (_Aloud._) Then as you know my name, won't you shake hands?
(_Makes a face at_ MRS. R., _and turns her back to her_.)
MRS. S.--Ah, my dear Mrs. Roberts, I am so glad to see you.
MRS. S.--I am so sorry to have kept you waiting. I was just taking off my things.
(_Draws forward chair for_ MRS. R., _they sit_.)
MRS. R.--Oh, not at all. I've not been here very long.
MRS. S.--I sent down my little Petsy to amuse you.
MRS. S.--It is impossible to feel dull where she is. Such an original child, so full of life!
MRS. R.--Oh, indeed! I came to see you, Mrs. Simonds, about the charity bazaar at Wandsworth.
P.--(_Loud._) Ma! Ma! How long is she going to stay?
MRS. S.--(_Smiling._) Oh, dear, dear, Petsy, Mrs. Roberts will be quite shocked at you! She will really, won't you, Mrs. Roberts?
MRS. R.--(_Tries to smile._) Oh, dear no! Sweet child!
(PETSY _goes on making a noise with drum, while_ MRS. ROBERTS _tries to speak_.)
MRS. R.--(_Obliged to shout._) It seems--there has been some difficulty--about the hall.
MRS. S.--About the hall--yes. (_Looking round at_ PETSY.) She is such a merry child, it makes one quite happy to see her!
MRS. R.--(_Aside._) I am glad it has that effect upon some one!
MRS. S.--You were saying about the hall--
MRS. S.--Yes, darling, yes. About the hall--
MRS. S.--I don't know why there should be any difficulty--
MRS. S.--What is it, my dear one? What do you want?
MRS. S.--If you'll take great care of it, yes. (_To_ MRS. R.) Did you ever hear such ideas as the child has? Such an active mind, never quiet!