CATHERINE. [Singing.] "The bird so free in the heavens"—
PETER. [Looking up—still in thought—seeming not to hear the song.] And my charities attended to. [FREDERIK nods assent.
CATHERINE. "Is but the slave of the nest;
For all must toil as God wills it,—
Must laugh and toil and rest."
PETER. [Who has been thinking.] Just as though I were here.
CATHERINE. "The rose must blow in the garden"—
PETER. William, too. Don't forget him, Frederik.
FREDERIK. No, Uncle.
CATHERINE. "The bee must gather its store;
The cat must watch the mouse-hole;
The dog must guard the door."
PETER. [As though he had a weight off his mind.] We won't speak of this again. It's understood. [Smokes, listening with pleasure as CATHERINE finishes the song.
CATHERINE. [Repeats the chorus.]
"The cat must watch the mouse-hole;
The dog must guard the door.
La la, La la," &c.