ZOO. Very well. Behave just as you feel. It doesn't matter how you behave. But keep your wits about you when the pythoness ascends, or you will forget the questions you have come to ask her.
| THE ENVOY | [simul- taneously] | [very nervous, takes out a paper to refresh his memory] Ahem! |
| THE DAUGHTER | [alarmed] The pythoness. Is she a snake? |
THE ELDERLY GENTLEMAN. Tch-ch! The priestess of the oracle. A sybil. A prophetess. Not a snake.
THE WIFE. How awful!
ZOO. I'm glad you think so.
THE WIFE. Oh dear! Dont you think so?
ZOO. No. This sort of thing is got up to impress you, not to impress me.
THE ELDERLY GENTLEMAN. I wish you would let it impress us, then, madam. I am deeply impressed; but you are spoiling the effect.
ZOO. You just wait. All this business with colored lights and chords on that old organ is only tomfoolery. Wait til you see the pythoness.
The Envoy's wife falls on her knees, and takes refuge in prayer.