Miss Rose. Only you've driven them all out of our heads again!
[They resume their conversation.
Mr. Wh. Well, do make a suggestion, somebody! Professor, won't you give us a Word?
Chorus of Ladies. Oh, do, Professor—you're sure to think of something clever!
Professor Pollen (modestly). Well, really, I've so little experience in these matters that—A Word has just occurred to me, however; I don't know, of course, whether it will meet with approval—(he beams at them with modest pride through his spectacles)—it's "Monocotyledonous."
Chorus of Ladies. Charming! Monocottle—Oh, can't we do that?
Mr. Wh. (dubiously). We might—but—er—what's it mean?
Prof. Pollen. It's a simple botanical term, signifying a plant which has only one cup-shaped leaf, or seed-lobe. Plants with two are termed—
Mr. Wh. I don't see how we're going to act a plant with only one seed-lobe myself—and then the syllables—"mon"—"oh"—"cot"—"till"—we shouldn't get done before midnight, you know!
Prof. Pollen (with mild pique). Well, I merely threw it out as a suggestion. I thought it could have been made amusing. No doubt I was wrong; no doubt.