Mrs. L. O, don't let me add to your trials. I will look elsewhere.
Miss P. No, no; you did not hear me out. I was going to say I have decided to take but one more pupil.
Mrs. L. What are the studies?
Miss P. English branches, French, Italian, German, and Spanish languages, and music; all taught under my personal supervision.
Mrs. L. Quite an array of studies; almost too much for one teacher.
Miss P. Ah, Mrs. Lofty, the mind—the mind is capable of great expansion; and to one gifted with the power to lead the young in the flowery paths of learning, no toil is too difficult. My school is select, refined; nothing rough or improper is allowed to mingle with the high-toned elements with which I endeavour to form a fashionable education.
Mrs. L. I should like to see some of your pupils.
Miss P. O, certainly. You will take them unawares; but I flatter myself you will not find them unprepared. (Strikes bell on piano.)
Enter Fanny, dressed as before, but with large, red chignon on her head.
Miss P. This is Miss Fanny Rice. Mrs. Lofty, Fanny. There you see one of my pupils who has an exquisite touch for the piano, a refined, delicate appreciation of the sweetest strains of the great masters. Fanny, my dear, take your place at the piano, and play one of those pieces which you know I most admire. (Fanny sits at piano, plays Yankee Doodle, whistling an accompaniment.) What does this mean? (Turns and looks at Fanny, starts, puts her eye-glass to her eye.—Aside.) Heavens! that child has one of those horrible chignons on her head!—(Aloud.) Miss Rice, why did you make that selection?