Eglantine (screams). Papa, love!

Coddle (claps hands to his ears). Come here, my pet. Give me a kiss, my darling. Wish your father joy. I have a surprise for you, sweet one.

Eglantine (shouts). I know what it is, papa. (Sadly.)

Coddle. Don’t scream so, Eglantine. It’s impossible you should know it.

Eglantine. Know what, papa?

Coddle. That I’m cured of my deafness. I can hear!

Eglantine. What! Is it possible?

Coddle. Yes, cured miraculously by that wonderful aurist, with his electro-magnetico—no, no; electro-galvanico—no, no; pshaw! no matter. He’s cured me in a flash!

Eglantine (shouts). O papa! How delightful!

Coddle (covering his ears). Softly, my darling, softly. You kill me! I hear almost too well. You deafen me. My hearing is now abnormal; actually abnormal, it is so acute.