Well, I suppose it means the Boches must march
A long, long way before they reach it, eh?
There’s Canada. They’ll have to march through that.
Then India, and that’s huge. Why, Nanko says
There are three hundred million people there,
And all their soldiers ride on elephants.
Poor Boches! I’m sorry for them. Nanko says
They’re trying to ride across two thousand years
In motor-cars. It’s easy enough to ride
Two thousand miles; but not two thousand years.
(She runs to the stocking and examines it. Tarrasch and Brander return to the table and eat and drink.)
There’s nothing in the stocking. Never mind,
Nanko, when Christmas really comes, you’ll see.
(With a sudden note of fear in her voice.)
Mother, where’s father?
Rada (putting an arm round her).
He will soon be with us.
It’s all right, darling.
Bettine.
Mother, mayn’t we try
The new tunes on the gramophone?