Eve discovered with Frederick; Frederick on chair, Eve on footstool.
Fred. (dictating to Eve, who writes in a memorandum book at his feet). Let me see. Three hundred oranges, six hundred buns, thirty gallons of tea, twelve large plum cakes. So much for the school-children’s bodies. As for their minds—
Eve. Oh, we’ve taken great care of their minds. In the first place, the amateur minstrels from Locroft are coming, with some lovely part songs.
Fred. Part songs. Come, that’s well. Dr. Watts?
Eve. Oh dear, no. Doctors Moore and Burgess!—Much jollier. (He shakes his head gravely.) Then we have a magic lantern. Here are the views. (Handing them.)
Fred. (examining them). A person on horseback, galloping at full speed. Here he is again. Probably the flight of Xerxes.
Eve. No—the flight of John Gilpin.
Fred. Very trivial, Eve dear; very trivial.
Eve. Oh, but it will amuse them much more than the flight of Xerxes.