)
MRS. HUBBARD. Some one at the door! Who could it be?
MR. HUBBARD (getting up). Just make the room look a little more homey,
dear, in case it's any one important.
(He goes out, leaving her to alter the position of the chairs
slightly.)
MRS. HUBBARD. Well?
MR. HUBBARD (coming in). A letter. (He opens it.)
MRS. HUBBARD. Quick!
MR. HUBBARD (whistling with surprise). Father Christmas! An invitation
to Court! (Reading) "Father Christmas at Home, 25th December.
Jollifications, 11.59 P.M." My love, he has found us at last! (They
embrace each other.)
MRS. HUBBARD. Henry, how gratifying!
MR. HUBBARD. Yes. (Sadly, after a pause) But we can't go.
MRS. HUBBARD (sadly). No, I have no clothes.
MR. HUBBARD. Nor I.
MRS. HUBBARD. How can I possibly go without a diamond necklace? None
of the Montmorency-Smythe women has ever been to Court without a
diamond necklace.
MR. HUBBARD. The Hubbards are a proud race. No male Hubbard would
dream of appearing at Court without a gentleman's gold Albert
watch-chain. . . . Besides, there is another thing. There will be many
footmen at Father Christmas's Court, who will doubtless require
coppers pressed into their palms. My honour would be seriously
affected, were I compelled to whisper to them that I had no coppers.
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