"That's mine. That's my theme," she says. "I've had a piece of music to myself because every one in this has a piece of music. But mine is--"
But Uncle Edward has finally put his paper down. And now--by means of a violent operation on his waistcoat--he produces an enormous silver watch, like those that railway guards have. And he turns to Alice.
"Time," he says magnificently.
Alice looks doubtfully at the laggards trailing to their places and snapping down the stalls. But Uncle Edward is adamant to her if tolerant to them.
"Some of 'em always late," and his blue eye roves round. "It's their dinner. But go and begin your bit like a good girl."
So then Alice comes to the middle of the stage; swallows a little from nervousness, and begins...
Alice.. If you please, this is going to be a Harlequinade ... a real one. And we begin it at the beginning, which is as many thousand years ago as you like to believe. It's about how ... how ...
Uncle Edward.. Psyche.
Alice.. When I was young I would call her Fishy. It is all about how Psyche, who is a perfect darling ...
Uncle Edward.. You are not to put bits in.