I. M. I am so glad you like it. I daresay you could write it out for me?
H. V. B. Oh, certainly. Beautiful! Only wants a little amplification to take the musical world by storm.
I. M. (much pleased). You really are exceedingly complimentary. You are indeed. I suppose it could be scored for an orchestra?
H. V. B. I should think so. I will turn it into a march for the Cavalry.
I. M. And for the Infantry, too? You see, there might be jealousy if you didn't.
H. V. B. Quite so. And there should be marches for the Artillery and Engineers. Then of course we should have a version to be played by the Navy, first in fine weather and then in a storm.
I. M. I think we ought to do as much. And of course the children should have a version suitable for their shrill voices. And it could be used as an opera, and played on the organ. All this, of course, you could manage?
H. V. B. Certainly, you may be sure it shall become universally popular. I will score it for every conceivable instrument, and every possible audience. It shall be played or sung in hospitals, railway stations, schools, and in fact everywhere!
I. M. It shall! But there must be one version teaching a man how to play the tune with a solitary finger.
H. V. B. May I venture to ask by whom that last version will be used?