ALBERT—You are interested in Pedagogy, aren’t you, Karl?
HYACINTH—Yes.
ALBERT—Did you know that Napoleon proposed to establish a school for
kings at Meudon?
HYACINTH—A very practical idea.
ALBERT—Yes, the pupils were to have been limited to boys in the line of
succession to a throne. The program of study was very interesting. No
details at all. General instruction along broad lines. No science, only
orientation; no theory, only practice. La Cases writes about it in his
memoirs.
HYACINTH—He was the only one who could have made it practical.
ALBERT—Yes, yes, he could have made many things practical. A capital
idea, too! A school from which you graduated with a monarch’s diploma in
hand. [_He laughs. The others respectfully echo his laugh. ALBERT looks
around him._] Well!... I’m glad to find you such fine healthy boys. Nice,
deep-set eyes this chap has, what?
BEATRICE—[_Rises._] Exactly like Alexandra’s. It is marvellous how alike
their eyes are. He resembles her in many ways.
ALBERT—[_Taking no notice of her remark._] You oughtn’t read too much, my
boy. That’s bad for the eyes. Sailors have the nicest eyes because they
are accustomed to look upon vast distances. At the sea and sky.
HYACINTH—He’d like that. He wants to be a sailor.
ALBERT—And you?
ARSEN—I? An explorer.
ALBERT—Where?
ARSEN—The Pole.
ALBERT—Which Pole, my son?
ARSEN—The South Pole.
ALBERT—You are mistaken if you suppose it’s any warmer there than at the
North Pole. [_He laughs._] And when do you start?
BEATRICE—[_Puts her arms about ARSEN._] He starts this very moment with
Georg to put on his fencing things. Uncle Albert wants to see how well
you fence.
ALBERT—Indeed, yes, I am very much interested. [_The boys bow._] See you
later. [_To AGI._] You too, what?
AGI—Yes, your highness, in the gymnasium.
ALBERT—Do you teach them fencing too?
AGI—Yes, your highness.
ALBERT—Splendid! You _are_ versatile, aren’t you? See you later. [_AGI
and the boys exit._]
ALBERT—[_Sits._] He has a very tactful and sympathetic manner, this
tutor. I am charmed with him.
HYACINTH—I liked him the moment I laid eyes on him.
ALBERT—And such a handsome young fellow.
BEATRICE—[_To SYMPHOROSA._] I told you he’d fall in love with him.
SYMPHOROSA—Don’t be upset about it, I beg of you.
ALBERT—Hah! [_Rises suddenly._] And while we are waiting for the great
fencing competition....
BEATRICE—We can show you a number of things worth seeing. Now if you
are interested in beautiful roses, there is Alexandra’s own little
rose-garden—— [_ALEXANDRA rises._]
ALBERT—Oh, yes.
BEATRICE—[_Sweetly._] The roses are her pride and joy ... and there are
some rare specimens among them.