_Miss Bee_ (_sympathetically_). I am so sorry, dearest, that you have sprained your ankle. And is it _quite_ out of the question to come on Friday to Burlington House?
_Lady Hay._ Quite, dearest. Dr. KEELEY DODGE says I shall be laid up the whole Season if I move a step before Monday. So you will tell me all about the Royal Academy Private View, now won't you?
_Miss Bee._ Of course I will do my best; but you know my forte is not description. What do you want to know?
_Lady Hay._ Why, of course, who were there, and what they said, and (most important of all) what they wore. I hope, dear, you will notice if they are wearing any of the new-fashioned bonnets, and if hats are going out.
_Miss Bee._ You may rely upon me, darling.
_Lady Hay._ And mind you get at the last bit of scandal. There ought to be plenty about, now that people have come back from the Riviera. But, my dear, you know exactly what I should like, so it is useless to prompt you. I leave everything to your discretion.
_Miss Bee._ Quite so, darling. (_After a pause._) I thought I had forgotten something--how about the paintings?
_Lady Hay._ Oh, never mind them! They will keep until another occasion! [_And as they will, Scene closes in on the Pictures._
"AND IT'S A PERFECT MIRACLE THE SOUNDS YE MANAGE TO EXTRACT FROM THAT OLD TIN KETTLE MISS CECILIA; SURE WE DON'T HEAR THE DUMB NOTES AT ALL!"]
["I am persuaded that the true interests of the entire working-classes of this country are bound up with respect for individual freedom, and that to overlook it, or to bring the smallest interference in restriction of it, unless under absolute necessity, would be a sad mistake upon the part of the working-classes."--_Mr. Gladstone to the Deputation of Miners from Durham and Northumberland._]
I stand between you--Capital and Labour,-- And each of you invokes my "sacred name." Sacred! Were love of freedom and one's neighbour Coöperant, claim would not conflict with claim. But heed my words, outspoken yet meant kindly; _I_ suffer whilst ye stone each other blindly.
Solicitous--in speech--of my intactness, Ye damage and deface me in your strife. Your aims, expressed with full and fair exactness. Mean fratricidal strife, war to the knife. Encounter hot, and fierce retaliation Must vainly prate about conciliation.