_Mrs. Toov._ (_to herself, indignantly_). I only hope they make it as difficult for other people to get in as they do for me! So Pa comes here to lounge and promenade, does he? Oh, let me only catch him, I'll send him promenading! (_She goes to the Box-office._) I want Box C, wherever that is. _Book-Keeper._ Can give you Box D, if you like. Box C is reserved for this evening. _Mrs. Toov._ (_sharply_). I am quite aware of that. For Mr. THEOPHILUS TOOVEY. I have come to join him here. _Book-K._ (_referring to book_). It is entered in that name, certainly; but--hem--may I ask if you belong to Mr. TOOVEY'S party? _Mrs. Toov._ (_crushingly_). No doubt you consider that his wife has no claim to---- Most certainly I belong to his party. _Book-K._ That is quite sufficient, Madam. (_To_ Attendant.) Show this lady to Box C. (_To himself, as_ Mrs. T. _follows the_ Attendant _up some velvet-covered stairs_.) Well, it's no business of mine; but if Mr. TOOVEY, whoever _he_ is, isn't careful what he's about, he may be sorry for it--that's all! _Mrs. Toov._ (_to herself_). They never even asked for my ticket. Pa's evidently well known here! (_To_ Attendant.) A programme? with pictures of dancing girls all over it! You ought to be ashamed to offer such things to a respectable woman! _Att._ (_surprised_). I've never heard them objected to before, Ma'am. Can I bring you any refreshments? (_Persuasively._) Bottle-ale or stout? Lemonade and brandy? Whisky and soda? _Mrs. Toov._ Don't imagine you can tempt _me_, man. I've been a total abstainer ever since I was five! _Att._ (_opening box-door_). Indeed, Ma'am. I suppose now you 'aven't mistook this for Exeter 'All?--because it _ain't_! _Mrs. Toov._ I am in no danger of making _that_ mistake! (_She enters the box._) I am here before Pa after all. What a gaudy, wicked, glaring place to be sure! Ugh, this _filthy_ tobacco; it chokes me, and I can scarcely see across the hall. Not that I _want_ to see. Well, if I sit in the corner behind the curtain I shan't be seen myself. To think that I--_I_--should be here at all, but the responsibility is on Pa's head, not mine! What are those two girls singing about on the stage? They are dressed _decently_ enough, I'll say _that_ for them, though pinafores and baby bonnets at _their_ age are ridiculous. [_She listens._ _The Sisters Sarcenet_ (_on stage_). You men are deceivers and awfully sly. Oh, you _are_! _Male portion of audience_ (_as is expected from them_). No we _aren't!_ _The Sisters S._ (_archly_). Now you _know_ you are! You come home with the milk; should your poor wife ask why, "Pressing business, my pet!" you serenely reply. When you've really been out on the "Tiddle-y-hi!" Yes, you _have_! _Male audience_ (_as before_). No, we've _not_! _The Sister S._ (_with the air of accusing angels_). Why, you _know_ you have!