Lillian. Saucy little bunch! Betty, why don’t you make that kid behave?

Effie. Kid yourself! I’d like to see her try it!

Betty. I would not. Effie’s dying of unrequited curiosity, Lil.

Beatrice. Did you ever hear of Mother Eve, Effie?

Effie. Yes, I have! And of Pandora, and Meddlesome Matty, and Curious Carrie, and Bee Mortimer, and so on.

Florence. Effie, you’ll surely be an old maid, your tongue is so sharp.

Effie. Hope I will. I wouldn’t marry one of those soft, squashy, mushy academy boys you girls are so soft on for anything. I’d rather have a cat and a parrot. They know something, anyway. And I’m going to find out what those letters stand for. S. O.—Society Of—M—Monkey—F—Fools.

Girls (in chorus). The idea!

Betty. You’re a first rate guesser, Effie. You don’t want to be a monkey fool, do you?

Effie. Oh, I’ll guess it right yet. You see!