MR. W. Oh, this is too much! Ferdinand, do me a kindness. You are on the look-out for some one who does not object to be frozen. In the interests of science, I'm quite prepared to immolate myself. Freeze me, and I'll bless you as long as you keep me frozen. MRS. W. (_approaching_ EMILY _and_ WALTER). Lastly, I was conscious when these dear ones (_embraces them_) revealed themselves to me in their true colors, and I learned that it was consistent with my duty to my parents to give them my blessing. EMILY. I need not tell you, papa, how happy this makes me. MR. W. I'm very glad, my dear, to know that one member of the family is likely to be happy. Now, Ferdinand, I'm quite ready. Freeze me. FER. With pleasure. You will feel one sharp prick in the lobe-- MRS. W. Hold, hateful trifler with the sacred laws of nature! Is such a man as that _fit_ to be frozen? I will freeze you when we are alone, sir! Ah, sad it is, when the old must be taught by the young, and that the daughter's lot should be happier than the mother's! (_To_ EMILY.) And yet, my child, I do not grudge you your happiness, and am glad at heart to think that you will have a husband who declined to take part in the diabolical scheme for Freezing his Mother-in-Law. CURTAIN. End of Project Gutenberg's Freezing a Mother-in-Law, by Thomas Edgar Pemberton