Puppets at Large: Scenes and Subjects from Mr Punch's ShowAnstey, F.
General
Puppets at Large: Scenes and Subjects from Mr Punch's Show
Anstey, F.
English wit and humor
MISS D'AUT. (_to herself as she escapes_). I suppose one ought to put up
with this sort of thing--for a charity!
MRS. BABBICOMBE (_at the Toy Stall, to the Belle of the Bazaar, aged
three-and-a-half_). You _perfect_ duck! You're simply too _sweet_! I
_must_ find you something. (_She tempers generosity with discretion by
presenting her with a small pair of knitted doll's socks_.) There,
darling!
The BELLE'S MOTHER. What do you say to the kind lady _now_, Marjory?
MARJORY (_a practical young person, to the donor_). Now div me a dolly
to put ve socks on.
[MRS. B. _finds herself obliged to repair this omission_.
A YOUNG LADY RAFFLER (_to a_ YOUNG MAN). Do take a ticket for this
charmin' _sachet_. Only half-a-crown!
The YOUNG MAN. Delighted! If you'll put in for this _splendid_ cigar
cabinet. Two shillin's!
[_The_ YOUNG LADY _realises that she has encountered an Augur, and
passes on_.
MISS DE. M. (_to_ MR. ISTHMIAN GATWICK). Can't I tempt you with this
tea-cosy? It's so absurdly cheap!
MR. ISTHMIAN GATWICK (_with dignity_). A-thanks; I think not. Never
_take_ tea, don't you know.
MISS DE M. (_with her characteristic adaptability_). Really? No more do
_I_. But you _could_ use it as a _smoking-cap_, you know. _I_ always----
[_Recollects herself, and breaks off in confusion_.
[Illustration: "You have lofty ambitions and the artistic
temperament."]
MISS OPHELIA PALMER (_in the "Wizard's Cave"--to_ MR. CADNEY ROWSER).
Yes, your hand indicates an intensely refined and spiritual nature; you
are perhaps a _little_ too indifferent to your personal comfort where
that of others is concerned; sensitive--too much so for your own
happiness, perhaps--you feel things keenly when you _do_ feel them. You
have lofty ambitions and the artistic temperament--seven-and-sixpence,
please.
MR. C. R. (_impressed_). Well, Miss, if you can read all that for
seven-and-six on the palm of my 'and, I wonder what you _wouldn't_ see
for 'alf a quid on the sole o' my boot!
[MISS P.'S _belief in Chiromancy sustains a severe shock_.
BOBBIE PATTERSON (_outside tent, as Showman_). This way to the
Marvellous Jumping Bean from Mexico! Threepence!
VOICE FROM TENT. Bobbie! Stop! The Bean's _lost_! Lady Honor's horrid
Thought-reading Poodle has just stepped in and swallowed it.
BOBBIE. Ladies and Gentlemen, owing to sudden domestic calamity, the
Bean has been unavoidably compelled to retire, and will be unable to
appear till further notice.
MISS SMYLIE (_to_ MR. OTIS BARLEYWATER, _who--in his own set--is
considered "almost equal to Corney Grain"_). I thought you were giving
your entertainment in the library? Why _aren't_ you?
MR. OTIS BARLEYWATER (_in a tone of injury_). Why? Because I can't give my
imitations of Arthur Roberts and Yvette Guilbert with anything _like_
the requisite "go," unless I get a better audience than three
programme-sellers, all under ten, and the cloak-room maid--_that's_ why!
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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