SCENE II. (_ALBERT enters, his wife entering on the opposite side. She

kisses him as a greeting._)

_Mrs. L._ I am glad you are home thus early. How has business gone to-day?

_Mr. L._ Well, I am happy to say.

_Mrs. L._ Are you very tired?

_Mr. L._ No; why?

_Mrs. L._ I want you to go to the sewing circle to-night.

_Mr. L._ I can’t go; I have an engagement.

_Mrs. L._ I am sorry. You never go with me now. You used to go a great deal.

(_Just then LIZZIE comes in crying, dragging an old hoop, and rubbing her eyes._)

_Mr. L._ What is the matter with you, darling?

_Lizzie._ The girls have been laughing at me, and making fun of my hoop. They say mine is ugly and homely.

_Mr. L._ Never mind; perhaps we’ll have a new one some time.

_Lizzie._ Mayn’t I have one now? Mr. Grant has one left—a real pretty one.

_Mr. L._ Not now, Lizzie; not now. I’ll think of it.

(_LIZZIE goes out crying, followed by her mother. A friend of MR. L. enters._)

_Friend._ Hello, Albert! What’s up?

_Mr. L._ Nothing in particular. Take a chair.

_Friend._ How’s business?

_Mr. L._ Good.

_Friend._ Did you go to the club last night?

_Mr. L._ Don’t speak so loud!

_Friend._ Ha! wife don’t know—does she? Where does she think you go?

_Mr. L._ I don’t know. She never asks me, and I am glad of it. She asked me to go with her to-night, and I told her I was engaged.

_Friend._ Good! I shan’t ask you where, but take it for granted that it was with me. What do you say for a game of billiards?

_Mr. L._ Good! I’m in for that. (_They rise to go._) Have a cigar, Tom?

_Friend._ Yes. (_They go out._)