)
FATHER CHRISTMAS. I am delighted to welcome you to my Court. How are
you both?
MR. HUBBARD. Very well, thank you, sir. My wife has a slight cold in
one foot, owing to--
MRS. HUBBARD (hastily). A touch of gout, sir, inherited from my
ancestors, the Montmorency-Smythes.
FATHER CHRISTMAS. Dear me, it won't prevent you dancing, I hope?
MRS. HUBBARD. Oh no, sir.
FATHER CHRISTMAS. That's right. We shall have a few more friends
coming in soon. You have been giving each other presents already, I
see. I congratulate you, madam, on your husband's taste.
MRS. HUBBARD (touching her necklace). Oh no, this is a very old
heirloom of the Montmorency-Smythe family.
MR. HUBBARD. An ancestress of Mrs. Hubbard's--a lady-in-waiting at the
Tottenham Court--at the Tudor Court--was fortunate enough to catch the
eye of--er--
MRS. HUBBARD. Elizabeth.
MR. HUBBARD. Queen Elizabeth, and--er--
FATHER CHRISTMAS. I see. You are lucky, madam, to have such beautiful
jewels. (Turning to MR. HUBBARD) And this delightful gold Albert
watch-chain--
MR. HUBBARD. Presented to an ancestor of mine, Sir Humphrey de
Hubbard, at the battle of--er--
MRS. HUBBARD. Agincourt.
MR. HUBBARD. As you say, dear, Agincourt.
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