GOVERNESS. The title and the author first, Oliver. Everything in its proper order.
OLIVER. Oh, I say, I didn't know I had to learn the title.
GOVERNESS. Geraldine, kindly attend to your own work.
OLIVER. After Blenheim. It was a summer evening.
GOVERNESS. After Blenheim, by Robert Southey. One of our greatest poets.
OLIVER. After Blenheim, by Robert Southey, one of our greatest poets. It was a summer evening, Old Kaspar's work was done--er--Old Kaspar's work was done--er--work was done, er . . .
OLIVER. Oh yes, of course. And he before--er--and he before--er--It was a summer evening, Old Kaspar's work was done, and he before--er--and he before--- Er, it _was_ a summer evening---
GOVERNESS. So you have already said, Oliver.
OLIVER. I just seem to have forgotten this bit, Miss Pinniger. And he before---
OLIVER (hopefully). Blenheim? Oh no, it was _after_ Blenheim.
OLIVER. Oo, yes. And he before his cottage door was sitting in the sun. (He clears his throat) Was sitting in the sun. Er--(He coughs again)--er---
GOVERNESS. You have a cough, Oliver. Perhaps the doctor had better see you when he comes to see Geraldine.
OLIVER. It was just something tickling my throat, Miss Pinniger. Er--it was a summer evening.
GOVERNESS. You haven't learnt it, Oliver?
OLIVER. Yes, I have, Miss Pinniger, only I can't quite remember it. And he before his cottage door---
GOVERNESS. Is it any good, Geraldine, asking you if you have got any of your sums right?
JILL. I've got one, Miss Pinniger . . . nearly right . . . except for some of the figures.
GOVERNESS. Well, we shall have to spend more time at our lessons, that's all. This afternoon--ah--er---
(She stands up as AUNT JANE and the DOCTOR come in.)
AUNT JANE. I'm sorry to interrupt lessons, Miss Pinniger, but I have brought the Doctor to see Geraldine. (To DOCTOR) You will like her to go to her room?
DOCTOR. No, no, dear lady. There is no need. Her pulse--(He feels it)---dear, dear! Her tongue--(She puts it out)--tut-tut! A milk diet, plenty of rice-pudding, and perhaps she would do well to go to bed this afternoon.
DOCTOR (to AUNT JANE). A dangerous symptom. _Plenty_ of rice-pudding.
DOCTOR (turning to OLIVER). Ah! His pulse--(Feels it)--tut-tut! His tongue--(OLIVER puts it out) Dear, dear! The same treatment, dear lady, as prescribed in the other case.