CRAIG’S WIFE
47
- neighborhood want to get in here—to satisfy their vulgar curiosity; and see what they can see.
Miss Austen
- And, why should you care if they do see?
Mrs. Craig
- I wouldn’t gratify them—I don’t want a lot of idle neighbors on visiting terms. Let them tend to their houses, and they’ll have plenty to do: instead of wasting their time with a lot of silly roses. (She crosses down to the mirror again) Mrs. Frazier is very likely one of those housekeepers that hides the dirt in the corners with a bunch of roses.
Miss Austen
- You know nothing about her house, Harriet.
Mrs. Craig
- I know what her lawn looks like,—that’s enough for me. (Turning) And you had to bring her upstairs, too, for fear she wouldn’t see enough down here.
Miss Austen
- I don’t suppose the woman knows what you’ve got in your house, Harriet.
Mrs. Craig
- Oh, Auntie Austen! Really, I wish you were as guileless in certain other respects as you seem to be in the matter of visiting neighbors.
Miss Austen
- A good neighbor is a very good thing sometimes, Harriet.
Mrs. Craig
- Well, you may have them; I don’t want them running in and out to me.
