Becoming America - An Exploration of American Literature from Precolonial to Post-Revolution, 2018a

BECOMING AMERICA
REVOLUTIONARY AND EARLY NATIONAL PERIOD LITERATURE
DIMPLE
Possibly I might—but something of so very triing a nature that I have already
forgot what it was.
I believe she has not forgot it.
LETITIA
DIMPLE
My dear creature, how can you for a moment suppose I should have any serious
thoughts of that triing, gay, ighty coquette, that disagreeable—
Enter CHARLOTTE.
DIMPLE
My dear Miss Manly, I rejoice to see you; there is a charm in your conversation that
always marks your entrance into company as fortunate.
Where have you been, my dear?
LETITIA
CHARLOTTE
Why, I have been about to twenty shops, turning over pretty things, and so have
left twenty visits unpaid. I wish you would step into the carriage and whisk round,
make my apology, and leave my cards where our friends are not at home; that, you
know, will serve as a visit. Come, do go.
LETITIA
So anxious to get me out! but I’ll watch you. [Aside.] Oh! yes, I’ll go; I want a little
exercise. Positively [Dimple oering to accompany her], Mr. Dimple, you shall not
go; why, half my visits are cake and caudle visits; it won’t do, you know, for you to
go. [Exit, but returns to the door in the back scene and listens.]
DIMPLE
This attachment of your brother to Maria is fortunate.
CHARLOTTE
How did you come to the knowledge of it?
I read it in their eyes.
DIMPLE
CHARLOTTE
And I had it from her mouth. It would have amused you to have seen her! She, that
Page | 638