_Alth._ I know what Mr. CURPHEW is, Mamma. He is a great artist, a genius; he can hold a mixed crowd of careless people spell-bound while he sings, make them laugh, cry, shudder, just as he chooses, and whatever he does is all so natural and human and real, and--oh, I can't put it into proper words, but one goes away thinking better of the whole world after it--and to hear him treated as if he were some outcast--oh, I can't bear it! [_She breaks down._ _Curph. (to himself)._ I don't care what happens now. They can't take _this_ away! _Mrs. Toov._ Upon my word! And pray where did you learn all this about Mr. WILDFIRE'S performances? _Alth. (boldly)._ Where, Mamma? Why, at the Eldorado, last Saturday evening. [_Sudden collapse of_ Mrs. TOOVEY. _Mr. Toov. (electrified)._ A daughter of mine at the Eldorado! THEA, my child, you _can't_ know what you are talking about; look at the effect on your poor mother! _Alth. (desperately)._ But indeed, Papa, there was no harm in it, I went with the MERRIDEWS. And--and I may be mistaken, of course, but I--I thought I saw _Mamma_ there too! [_Sensation._ _Charles._ Oh, I say, THEA; aren't you coming it _rather_ strong? Aunt at the Eldorado! Why, Aunt thought _Uncle_ was there! _Mr. Toov._ CORNELIA, my love, don't pay any attention to her; the child must be stark staring mad to say such things. It's bad enough that _she_ should have gone; but to think of _you_ in such a scene! (_To_ ALTHEA.) Why, it was that very Saturday evening that your dear mother went to the Zenana Meeting at Mrs. CUMBERBATCH'S--yes, to be sure. (_To_ Mrs. T.) You remember, my dear, how you came home so late, in a cab the driver had been smoking in, and how the moment you entered the room I---- _Mrs. Toov. (hastily)._ My dear THEOPHILUS, I remember the circumstances perfectly, but I should not condescend to answer so preposterous a charge; especially when it is my own daughter who brings it! _Alth._ (_in distress_). But indeed I don't Mamma. I only fancied it _might_ have been you, and of course, if you were at the CUMBERBATCHES---- _Mrs. Toov._ (_to herself_). I must put a stop to this once and for all. (_Aloud_.) _If_ I was at the CUMBERBATCHES! When your father has just _told_ you I was there--really, ALTHEA! Did I hear wheels outside? Just look, Pa. I haven't seen my spectacles since Saturday. _Mr. Toov._ (_at the window_). Why, really, my love, it does seem to be a carriage, indeed. I wonder who can be calling at such a----Now, it's quite a coincidence, truly--it's dear Mrs. CUMBERBATCH! I hope she'll come in, because I really think it's a duty to warn her against employing that particular cabman again. A driver who permits himself to smoke inside his own vehicle to that extent---- [Mrs. TOOVEY _makes ineffectual efforts to speak_. _Alth._ (_in a whisper, to_ CURPHEW). Do look at Mamma! You don't think she could really----?