Dunn monologue (Act 1) — Niobe, All Smiles: A Farcical Comedy in Three Acts

(_staggered--sits end of couch--a pause_) What an uncompleted idiot I am. My wife will recognize her clothes--(_running to stairs, sees trunk which he secures and brings down stage_) The Governess's trunk! If my keys will only fit it, no, no! They never do--Yes--that's lucky! (_raising lid of trunk and closing it again_) How clever you thought yourself, Peter Amos Dunn, when you suggested to yourself bringing that d----d Statue into the house. It isn't there! It isn't there! (_closes screen--looks round--straightens room--picks up drapery, etc.; crosses to mirror, re-arranges himself, tie, smooths hair, goes down L. of table and pours himself a drink, hand shakes. He cannot get it to his mouth; sops his handkerchief and putting it to his brow, crosses and sits on trunk. Loud knock at door; DUNN jumping up; shoulders trunk and rushes upstairs_)