Struebel.
Permit me. (_Tapping her forehead lightly with his finger._) Ow! Ow!
Rosa.
What's the matter?
Struebel.
Why, your head's on fire! Blow! Blow! And while you are getting some
salve for my burns, I'll just-- (_Goes to the telescope._)
(_Enter_ Frau Von Halldorf, Liddy, _and_ Milly. Frau Von Halldorf _is
an aristocratic woman, somewhat supercilious and affected._)
Liddy.
Here's the telescope, mother. Now you can see for yourself.
Frau v. Halldorf.
What a pity that it's in use just now.
Struebel (_stepping back_).
Oh, I beg of you, ladies--I have plenty of time. I can wait.
Frau v. Halldorf (_condescendingly_).
Ah, thanks so much. (_She goes up to the telescope, while Struebel
returns to his former place._) Waitress! Bring us three glasses of
milk.
Liddy (_as_ Milly _languidly drops into a chair_).
Beyond to the right is the road, mother.
Frau v. Halldorf.
Oh, I have found the road, but I see no carriage--neither a royal
carriage nor any other sort.
Liddy.
Let me look.
Frau v. Halldorf.
Please do.
Liddy.
It has disappeared now.
Frau v. Halldorf.
Are you quite sure that it was a royal carriage?
Liddy.
Oh, one has an instinct for that sort of thing, mother. It comes to one
in the cradle.
Frau v. Halldorf.
(_As_ Milly _yawns and sighs aloud._) Are you sleepy, dear?
Milly.
No, only tired. I'm always tired.
Frau v. Halldorf.
Well, that's just why we are at the Springs. Do as the princess does:
take the waters religiously.
Milly.
The princess oughtn't to be climbing up such a steep hill either on a
hot day like this.
Frau v. Halldorf (_more softly_).
Well, you know why we are taking all this trouble. If, by good luck, we
should happen to meet the princess----
Liddy.
(_Who has been looking through the telescope._) Oh, there it is again!
Frau v. Halldorf (_eagerly_).