"Half-a-guinea each!" repeated Mr. Branghton, "why, I never heard of such a thing in my life! And pray, Sir, how many will they admit?"
"Just as usual, Sir, one person each."
"But one person for half-a-guinea!-why, I only want to sit in the pit, friend."
"Had not the ladies better sit in the gallery, Sir; for they'll hardly choose to go into the pit with their hats on?"
"O, as to that," cried Miss Branghton, "if our hats are too high we'll take them off when we get in. I sha'n't mind, it, for I did my hair on purpose."
Another party then approaching, the door-keeper could no longer attend to Mr. Branghton; who, taking up the guinea, told him it should be long enough before he'd see it again, and walked away.
The young ladies, in some confusion, expressed their surprise that their papa should not know the opera prices, which, for their parts, they had read in the papers a thousand times.
"The price of stocks," said he, "is enough for me to see after; and I took it for granted it was the same thing here as at the playhouse."
"I knew well enough what the price was," said the son; "but I would not speak, because I thought perhaps they'd take less, as we're such a large party."
The sisters both laughed very contemptuously at this idea, and asked him if he ever heard of people's abating any thing at a public place? I don't know whether I have or not," answered he; "but I am sure if they would, you'd like it so much the worse."
"Very true, Tom," cried Mr. Branghton; "tell a woman that any thing is reasonable, and she'll be sure to hate it."
"Well," said Miss Polly, "I hope that aunt and Miss will be of our side, for papa always takes part with Tom."
"Come, come," cried Madame Duval, "if you stand talking here, we shan't get no place at all."
Mr. Branghton then enquired the way to the gallery; and, when we came to the door-keeper, demanded what was to pay.
"The usual price, Sir," said the man.
"Then give me change," cried Mr. Branghton, again putting down his guinea.
"For how many, Sir?"
"Why-let's see,-for six."
"For six, Sir? why, you're given me but a guinea."
"But a guinea! why, how much would you have? I suppose it is'n't half-a-guinea a piece here too?"