Carbuncle a little rap.
The play, as a play, was a failure; at least so said Mrs. Carbuncle. The
critics, on the next morning, were somewhat divided--not only in judgment,
but as to facts. To say how a play has been received is of more moment
than to speak of its own merits or of the merits of the actors. Three or
four of the papers declared that the audience was not only eulogistic, but
enthusiastic. One or two others averred that the piece fell very flatly.
As it was not acted above four or five dozen times consecutively, it must
be regarded as a failure. On their way home Mrs. Carbuncle declared that
Minnie Talbot had done her very best with such a part as Margaret, but
that the character afforded no scope for sympathy.
"A noble jilt, my dears," said Mrs. Carbuncle eloquently, "is a
contradiction in terms. There can be no such thing. A woman, when she has
once said the word, is bound to stick to it. The delicacy of the female
character should not admit of hesitation between two men. The idea is
quite revolting."
"But may not one have an idea of no man at all?" asked Lucinda. "Must that
be revolting also?"
"Of course a young woman may entertain such an idea; though for my part I
look upon it as unnatural.
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