Oh, my dear, don't think that I have learnt no lesson to-night.'
COLONEL, smiling, 'Going to reform at last?'
ALICE, the most serious of women, 'Yes, Robert. The Alice you have known is come to an end. To-morrow--'
COLONEL. 'If she is different to-morrow I'll disown her.'
ALICE. 'It's summer done, autumn begun. Farewell, summer, we don't know you any more. My girl and I are like the little figures in the weather-house; when Amy comes out, Alice goes in. Alice Sit-by-the-fire henceforth. The moon is full to-night, Robert, but it isn't looking for me any more. Taxis farewell--advance four-wheelers. I had a beautiful husband once, black as the raven was his hair--'
COLONEL. 'Stop it.'
ALICE. 'Pretty Robert, farewell. Farewell, Alice that was; it's allover, my dear. I always had a weakness for you; but now you must really go; make way there for the old lady.'
COLONEL. 'Woman, you'll make me cry. Go to your Amy.'
ALICE. 'Robert--'
COLONEL. 'Go. Go. Go.'
As he roars it Amy peeps in anxiously. She is in her nightgown, and her hair is down and her feet are bare, and she does not look so very much more than five. Alice is unable to resist the temptation.
ALICE, wailing, 'Must I go, Robert?'
AMY. 'Going away? Mother! Father, if mother goes away, what is to become of me?'
She draws them together until their hands clasp. There is now a beatific smile on her face. The curtain sees that its time has come; it clicks, and falls.
THE END