_Second Emp._ (_her Friend_). Well, that was hard upon her!

_First Member of the Public_ (_entering briskly and putting coppers on
the counter_). Now then, three penny stamps, please!

_First Emp._ (_to her Friend_). Yes, as you say, it _was_ hard, as of
course the matter of the pic-nic was no affair of hers.

_Second Emp._ (_sympathetically_). Of course not! They are all alike,
my dear!--all alike!

_First Mem. of the Pub._ (_impatiently_). Now then, three penny stamps
please!

_First Emp._ Well, you are in a hurry! (_To her Friend_). And from
that day to this she has never heard from him.

_Second Emp._ And it would have been so easy to drop her a postcard
from Herne Bay.

_First Mem. of the Pub._ Am I to be kept waiting all day? Three penny
postage-stamps, please.

_First Emp._ (_leisurely_). What do you want?

_First Mem. of the Pub._ (_angrily_). Three penny postage-stamps, and
look sharp about it!

_First Emp._ (_giving stamp_). Threepence.

_First Mem. of the Pub._ (_furious_). A threepenny stamp! I want three
penny stamps. Three stamps costing a penny each. See?

_First Emp._ (_with calm unconcern_). Then why didn't you say so
before? (_Supplies stamps and turns to Friend._) Then MARIA of course
wanted to go to Birchington.

_Second Emp._ Why Birchington? Why did she want to go to Birchington?

_First Emp._ Well--_he_ of course was at Herne Bay.

_Second Emp._ Ah, now I begin to understand her artfulness.

_First Emp._ Ah, there you are right, my dear! She _was_ artful!

[_Enter Second Member of the Public, covered up in cloaks and
only showing the tip of his nose._

_Second Mem. of the Pub._ (_in a feeble voice_). Can you tell me,
please, when the Mail starts for India?

_First Emp._ Well, the sea air _is_ the sea air. And that reminds me,
what do you think of this tobacco-pouch for--

_Second Emp._ (_archly_). For I know who! Why, you have got his
initials in forget-me-nots!

_First Emp._ I think them so pretty, and they are very easy to do.

_Second Mem. of the Pub._ (_in a rather louder voice_). Can you tell
me, please, when the Mail starts for India?

_Second Emp._ I must say, dear, you have the most perfect taste.
Well, he will be ungrateful if he isn't charmed with them! Absolutely
charmed!

_Second Mem, of the Pub._ (_louder still_). Will you be so good as to
say when the Mail starts for India?

_First Emp._ Oh, you _are_ in a hurry! (_To Friend._) Yes, I took
a