The Wolves and the Lamb | Page 9

My poor wife's character, my mother used to say, changed
after marriage. I was not as happy as I hoped to be; but I tried for it.
George, I am not so comfortable now as I might be. A house without a
mistress, with two mothers-in-law reigning over it--one worldly and
aristocratic, another what you call serious, though she don't mind a
rubber of whist: I give you my honor my mother plays a game at whist,
and an uncommonly good game too--each woman dragging over a
child to her side: of course such a family cannot be comfortable. [Bell
rings.] There's the first dinner-bell. Go and dress, for heaven's sake.
TOUCHIT.--Why dress? There is no company!
MILLIKEN.--Why? ah! her ladyship likes it, you see. And it costs
nothing to humor her. Quick, for she don't like to be kept waiting.
TOUCHIT.--Horace Milliken! what a pity it is the law declares a
widower shall not marry his wife's mother! She would marry you
else,--she would, on my word.
Enter JOHN.
JOHN.--I have took the Captain's things in the blue room, sir. [Exeunt
gentlemen, JOHN arranges tables, &c.]
Ha! Mrs. Prior! I ain't partial to Mrs. Prior. I think she's an artful old
dodger, Mrs. Prior. I think there's mystery in her unfathomable pockets,
and schemes in the folds of her umbrella. But--but she's Julia's mother,
and for the beloved one's sake I am civil to her.
MRS. PRIOR.--Thank you Charles [to the Page, who has been seen to
let her in at the garden-gate], I am so much obliged to you! Good
afternoon, Mr. Howell. Is my daughter--are the darling children well?
Oh, I am quite tired and weary! Three horrid omnibuses were full, and I
have had to walk the whole weary long way. Ah, times are changed
with me, Mr. Howell. Once when I was young and strong, I had my
husband's carriage to ride in.

JOHN [aside].--His carriage! his coal-wagon! I know well enough who
old Prior was. A merchant? yes, a pretty merchant! kep' a
lodging-house, share in a barge, touting for orders, and at last a snug
little place in the Gazette.
MRS. PRIOR.--How is your cough, Mr. Howell? I have brought you
some lozenges for it [takes numberless articles from her pocket], and if
you would take them of a night and morning--oh, indeed, you would
get better! The late Sir Henry Halford recommended them to Mr. Prior.
He was his late Majesty's physician and ours. You know we have seen
happier times, Mr. Howell. Oh, I am quite tired and faint.
JOHN.--Will you take anything before the school-room tea, ma'am?
You will stop to tea, I hope, with Miss Prior, and our young folks?
MRS. PRIOR.--Thank you: a little glass of wine when one is so faint--a
little crumb of biscuit when one is so old and tired! I have not been
accustomed to want, you know; and in my poor dear Mr. Prior's time--
JOHN.--I'll fetch some wine, ma'am. [Exit to the dining-room.]
MRS. PRIOR.--Bless the man, how abrupt he is in his manner! He
quite shocks a poor lady who has been used to better days. What's here?
Invitations--ho! Bills for Lady Kicklebury! THEY are not paid. Where
is Mr. M. going to dine, I wonder? Captain and Mrs. Hopkinson, Sir
John and Lady Tomkinson, request the pleasure. Request the pleasure!
Of course they do. They are always asking Mr. M. to dinner. They have
daughters to marry, and Mr. M. is a widower with three thousand a year,
every shilling of it. I must tell Lady Kicklebury. He must never go to
these places--never, never--mustn't be allowed. [While talking, she
opens all the letters on the table, rummages the portfolio and
writing-box, looks at cards on mantelpiece, work in work-basket, tries
tea-box, and shows the greatest activity and curiosity.]
Re-enter John, bearing a tray with cakes, a decanter, &c.
Thank you, thank you, Mr. Howell! Oh, oh, dear me, not so much as
that! Half a glass, and ONE biscuit, please. What elegant sherry! [sips a
little, and puts down glass on tray]. Do you know, I remember in better
days, Mr. Howell, when my poor dear husband--
JOHN.--Beg your pardon. There's Milliken's bell, going like mad. Exit
John.]
MRS. PRIOR.--What an abrupt person! Oh, but it's comfortable, this
wine is! And--and I think how my poor Charlotte would like a

little--she so weak, and ordered wine by the medical man! And when
dear Adolphus comes home from Christ's Hospital, quite tired, poor
boy, and hungry, wouldn't a bit of nice cake do him good! Adolphus is
so fond of plum-cake, the darling child! And so is Frederick, little
saucy rogue; and I'll give them MY piece, and keep my glass of wine
for my dear delicate angel Shatty! [Takes bottle and