Fat Lady. A boy—that high—who drank! I gave him a scolding at once. And he was grateful to me afterwards. They are children, and, as I always say, children need both love and severity!
[Exeunt all, all talking together.
[TÁNYA enters from behind the hangings.
Tánya. Oh, if it would only succeed!
[Begins fastening some threads.
[Enter BETSY hurriedly.
Betsy. Isn't papa here? (Looks inquiringly at TÁNYA.) What are you doing here?
Tánya. Oh, Miss Elizabeth, I have only just come; I only wished ... only came in....
[Embarrassed.
Betsy. But they are going to have a séance here directly (Notices TÁNYA drawing in the threads, looks at her, and suddenly bursts out laughing.) Tánya! Why, it's you who do it all? Now don't deny it. And last time it was you too? Yes, it was, it was!