MRS. DOWEY. 'You'll excuse us, Mrs. Haggerty, but the correct
pronunciation is Salonikky.'
THE HAGGERTY WOMAN, to cover her confusion. 'I don't think.' She feels
that even this does not prove her case. 'And I speak as one that has War
Savings Certificates.'
MRS. TWYMLEY. 'We all have them.'
The Haggerty Woman whimpers, and the other guests regard her with
unfeeling disdain.
MRS. DOWEY, to restore cheerfulness, 'Oh, it's a terrible war.'
ALL, brightening, 'It is. You may say so.'
MRS. DOWEY, encouraged, 'What I say is, the men is splendid, but I'm
none so easy about the staff. That's your weak point, Mrs. Mickleham.'
MRS. MICKLEHAM, on the defence, but determined to reveal nothing that
might be of use to the enemy, 'You may take it from me, the staff's all
right.'
MRS. DOWEY. 'And very relieved I am to hear you say it.'
It is here that the Haggerty Woman has the remaining winkle.
MRS. MICKLEHAM. 'You don't understand properly about trench warfare. If
I had a map----'
MRS. DOWEY, wetting her finger to draw lines on the table. 'That's the
river Sommy.
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