The Project Gutenberg EBook of Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 98,
April 26 1890, by Various

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Title: Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 98, April 26 1890

Author: Various

Release Date: September 9, 2010 [EBook #33685]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ASCII

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PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI

VOLUME 98, April 26TH 1890

_edited by Sir Francis Burnand_

MR. PUNCH'S MORAL MUSIC-HALL DRAMAS.

(CONTINUED FROM P. 145.)

No. IX.--UNDER THE HARROW.

_A Conventional Comedy-Melodrama, in Two Acts._

ACT. II.--SCENE--_Same as in Act I.; viz., the Morning-room at
Natterjack Hall. Evening of same day. Enter_ BLETHERS.

_Blethers._ Another of Sir POSHBURY'S birthdays almost gone--and my
secret still untold! (_Dodders._) I can't keep it up much longer ...
Ha, here comes his Lordship--he does look mortal bad, that he do! Miss
VERBENA ain't treated him too well, from all I can hear, poor young
feller!

_Enter_ Lord BLESHUGH.

_Lord Bleshugh._ BLETHERS, by the memory of the innumerable
half-crowns that have passed between us, be my friend now! I have no
others left. Persuade your young Mistress to come hither--you need
not tell her _I_ am here, you understand. Be discreet, and this florin
shall be yours!

_Blethers._ Leave it to me, my Lord. I'd tell a lie for less than
that, any day, old as I am! [_Exit._

_Lord Bl._ I cannot rest till I have heard from her own lips that
the past few hours have been nothing but a horrible dream ... She is
coming! Now for the truth! [_Enter_ VERBENA.

_Verbena._ Papa, did you want me? (_Recognises Lord B.--controls
herself to a cold formality._) My Lord, to what do I owe this--this
unexpected intrusion? [_Pants violently._

_Lord Bl._ VERBENA, tell me, you cannot really prefer that seedy snob
in the burst boots to me?

_Verb. (aside)._ How can I tell him the truth without betraying
dear Papa? No, I must lie, though it kills me. (_To_ Lord B.) Lord
BLESHUGH, I have been trifling with you. I--I never loved yo