Whatever are you doing here?
ERMYNTRUDE: I wanted to speak to father, mother.
MRS. SLADDER: But you mustn't come in here. We mustn't disturb father.
ERMYNTRUDE: I want to speak to father.
MRS. SLADDER: Whatever about, Ermyntrude?
ERMYNTRUDE (_taps the arm of the chair_): O, nothing, mother. Only about
that idea of his.
MRS. SLADDER: What idea, child?
ERMYNTRUDE: O, that idea he had, that--er--I was some day to marry a
duke.
MRS. SLADDER: And why shouldn't you marry a duke, child? I am sure
father would make it worth his while.
ERMYNTRUDE: O well, I don't think I want to, mother.
MRS. SLADDER: But why not, Ermyntrude?
ERMYNTRUDE: O well, you know Mr. Jones----
MRS. SLADDER: That good man!
ERMYNTRUDE: ----did say that dukes were no good, mother. They oppress
the poor, I think he said.
MRS. SLADDER: Very true.
ERMYNTRUDE: Well, there you are.
MRS. SLADDER: Yes, yes, of course. At the same time, father had rather
set his heart on it. You wouldn't have any other reason now, child,
would you?
ERMYNTRUDE: What more do you want, mother? Mr. Jones is a Cabinet
Minister; he must know what he's talking about.
MRS. SLADDER: Yes, yes.
ERMYNTRUDE: And I hear he's going to get a peerage.
MRS. SLADDER (_with enthusiasm_): Well, I'm sure he deserves it.
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