WAITER.
Break-a-fast.
[_They sit._
BOX.
Permit me--
c.o.x.
And me--
BOX.
To propose--
c.o.x.
The health--
BOTH.
Of the Happy Pair. Major and Mrs. Bouncer. Hip! hip! hip! Hurrah!
BOX (_singing_).
It"s a way we have in the army.
[_They all join in chorus._
SOLOS AND CHORUS.
("_Ha, ha!_" "_Les Dames de la Halle._")
BOX.
I drink the health of Madame Bouncer, And of the Major Bouncer, too!
SOPRANO ET TENOR.
Too too too too too too too!
Ba.s.sI.
Too too too too too too too!
c.o.x.
Of his foes he is a trouncer, Equal to any Horse Guard Blue.
ALL.
Blue, &c. (_as before_).
BOX.
All our jealousy we smother From this happy bridal day.
c.o.x.
We"ll embrace him like a brother
BOX.
And a sister--if I may!
PENELOPE ANNE.
Ah!
BOX AND c.o.x (_together_).
Viva, Viva Rataplan!
Oh! Rataplan Penelope Anne, Oh! Rataplan Penelope-elope Anne, Anne, Anne!
CHORUS (_including the WAITER, all at table standing up, gla.s.ses in hand convivially_).
Viva, viva Rataplan!
Oh! Rataplan Penelope Anne!
Oh! Rataplan Penelope-elope Anne, Anne, Anne!
Tableau.--_BOUNCER on chair, with dish-cover and carving-knife.
WAITER at side, waving napkin. PENELOPE between c.o.x and BOX in centre._
_Curtain descends._
[Ill.u.s.tration: "AUTHOR! AUTHOR!"]
CHAPTER XXIII.
AFTER THE PERFORMANCE, CONVERSATION COMMENCES.
"Your wife played charmingly, Mr. Frimmely."