TOO FREE TO BE EASY.
SCENE—Exterior of a Board School. Enter R. and L. well-meaning Philanthropist and long-headed Artisan. They greet one another with differing degrees of cordiality.
Philanthropist (heartily). Ah, my good friend, and how are you taking advantage of this great boon—the enormous privilege of free education?
Artisan (doggedly). By not sending my lad to school.
Phil. (with pained astonishment). You surprise me.
Art. I don't see why I should. I'm only following SAWNIE's lead. It's what they did in Scotland. They gave them free education, and that's the way to read it, and a good way too!
Phil. Well, at least you ought to be grateful.
Art. Grateful! Grateful for what?
Phil. Why, for free education—for education, you know, that costs you nought.
Art. Oh, it costs nought, does it? Then thank you for nothing!
[Exeunt—in very different directions!