_Fiancee_. Was that what they used to call Ostralia before it was
discovered? (_They come to the Clytie bust._) Why, if that isn't the
same head Mrs. MEGGLES has under a glass shade in her front window,
only smaller--and hers is alabaster, too! But fancy them going and
copying it, and I daresay without so much as a "by your leave," or a
"thank you!"
_The I.A._ (_reading_). "Portrait of ANTONIA, sister-in-law of
the Emperor TIBERIUS, in the character of Clytie turning into a
sunflower."
_Fiancee_. Lor! They did queer things in those days, didn't they?
(_Stopping before another bust._) Who's that?
_The I.A._ 'Ed of Ariadne.
_Fiancee_ (_slightly surprised_). What!--not young ADNEY down our
street? I didn't know as he'd been took in stone.
_The I.A._ How do you suppose they'd 'ave young ADNEY in among this
lot--why, that's antique!
_Fiancee_. Well, I was _thinking_ it looked more like a female. But if
it's meant for old Mr. TEAK, the shipbuilder's daughter, it flatters
her up considerable; and, besides, _I_ always understood as her name
was BETSY.
_The I.A._ No, no; what a girl you are for getting things wrong! that
'ed was cut out years and years ago!
_Fiancee_. Well, she's gone off _since_, that's all; but I wonder at
old Mr. TEAK letting it go out of the family, instead of putting it on
his mantelpiece along with the lustres and the two chiny dogs.
_The I.A._ (_with ungallant candour_).
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