Enter Ralph Ready, r., with School-books.
Ralph. Twenty minutes of nine. I can take it easy this morning. How glad I am I staid at home last night and studied "Spartacus." It's Declamation Day, and I want to win the highest mark. If I fail, it will not be for want of study. I believe I'm all right. (Declaims.)
"Ye call me Chief—"[*]
Enter Charley Cheerful, l.
Charley. (Clapping his hands.) Bravo! Bravo! Spartacus. "They do well to call you chief!" number one in arithmetic, history, and geography; and to-day I've no doubt we shall call you number one in declamation.
Ralph. Ah, Charley, glad to see you. Are you all ready for the contest?
Charley. Yes, Ralph. (Declaims.)
"Again to the battle, Achaians;
Our hearts bid the tyrants defiance."
Ralph. I see "a foeman worthy of my steel." Well, Charley, good luck to you.