The Wolves and the LambThackeray, William Makepeace
General
The Wolves and the Lamb
Thackeray, William Makepeace
English drama -- 19th century
LADY K.--A widower of that angel! [Points to picture.]
TOUCHIT.--Pooh, pooh, angel! You two ladies have never given the
poor fellow any peace. You were always quarrelling over him. You took
possession of his house, bullied his servants, spoiled his children; you
did, Lady Kicklebury.
LADY K.--Sir, you are a rude, low, presuming, vulgar man. Clarence! beat
this rude man!
TOUCHIT.--From what I have heard of your amiable son, he is not in the
warlike line, I think. My dear Julia, I am delighted with all my heart
that my old friend should have found a woman of sense, good conduct,
good temper--a woman who has had many trials, and borne them with great
patience--to take charge of him and make him happy. Horace, give me your
hand! I knew Miss Prior in great poverty. I am sure she will bear as
nobly her present good fortune; for good fortune it is to any woman to
become the wife of such a loyal, honest, kindly gentleman as you are!
Enter JOHN.
JOHN.--If you please, my lady--if you please, sir--Bulkeley--
LADY K.--What of Bulkeley, sir?
JOHN.--He has packed his things, and Cornet Kicklebury's things, my
lady.
MILLIKEN.--Let the fellow go.
JOHN.--He won't go, sir, till my lady have paid him his book and wages.
Here's the book, sir.
LADY K.--Insolence! quit my presence! And I, Mr. Milliken, will quit a
house--
JOHN.--Shall I call your ladyship a carriage?
LADY K.--Where I have met with rudeness, cruelty, and fiendish [to Miss
P., who smiles and curtsies]--yes, fiendish ingratitude. I will go, I
say, as soon as I have made arrangements for taking other lodgings. You
cannot expect a lady of fashion to turn out like a servant.
JOHN.--Hire the "Star and Garter" for her, sir. Send down to the
"Castle;" anything to get rid of her. I'll tell her maid to pack her
traps. Pinhorn! [Beckons maid and gives orders.]
TOUCHIT.--You had better go at once, my dear Lady Kicklebury.
LADY K.--Sir!
TOUCHIT.--THE OTHER MOTHER-IN-LAW IS COMING! I met her on the road with
all her family. He! he! he! [Screams.]
Enter Mrs. PRIOR and Children.
MRS. P.--My lady! I hope your ladyship is quite well! Dear, kind Mrs.
Bonnington! I came to pay my duty to you, ma'am. This is Charlotte, my
lady--the great girl whom your ladyship so kindly promised the gown for;
and this is my little girl, Mrs. Bonnington, ma'am, please; and this
is my Bluecoat boy. Go and speak to dear, kind Mr. Milliken--our best
friend and protector--the son and son-in-law of these dear ladies. Look,
sir! He has brought his copy to show you. [Boy shows copy.] Ain't it
creditable to a boy of his age, Captain Touchit? And my best and most
grateful services to you, sir. Julia, Julia, my dear, where's your cap
and spectacles, you stupid thing? You've let your hair drop down. What!
what!--[Begins to be puzzled.]
MRS. B.--Is this collusion, madam?
MRS. P.--Collusion, dear Mrs. Bonnington!
LADY K.--Or insolence, Mrs. Prior!
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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