Part 6 (1/2)

(_They bow or curtsy, and retire to_ MISS SUSAN'S _room, with the exception of_ ARTHUR WELLESLEY TOMSON, _who is standing in disgrace in a corner with the cap of shame on his head, and_ ISABELLA, _a forbidding-looking, learned little girl_. ISABELLA _holds up her hand for permission to speak._)

ISABELLA. Please, ma'am, father wishes me to acquire algebra.

PHOEBE (_with a sinking_). Algebra! It--it is not a very ladylike study, Isabella.

ISABELLA. Father says, will you or won't you?

PHOEBE. And you are thin. It will make you thinner, my dear.

ISABELLA. Father says I am thin but wiry.

PHOEBE. Yes, you are. (_With feeling._) You are very wiry, Isabella.

ISABELLA. Father says, either I acquire algebra or I go to Miss Prothero's establishment.

PHOEBE. Very well, I--I will do my best. You may go.

(ISABELLA _goes and_ PHOEBE _sits wearily._)

ARTHUR (_fingering his cap_). Please, ma'am, may I take it off now?

PHOEBE. Certainly not. Unhappy boy---- (ARTHUR _grins._) Come here.

Are you ashamed of yourself?

ARTHUR (_blithely_). No, ma'am.

PHOEBE (_in a terrible voice_). Arthur Wellesley Tomson, fetch me the implement. (ARTHUR _goes briskly for the cane, and she hits the desk with it._) Arthur, surely that terrifies you?

ARTHUR. No, ma'am.

PHOEBE. Arthur, why did you fight with that street boy?

ARTHUR. 'Cos he said that when you caned you did not draw blood.

PHOEBE. But I don't, do I?

ARTHUR. No, ma'am.

PHOEBE. Then why fight him? (_Remembering how strange boys are._) Was it for the honour of the school?

ARTHUR. Yes, ma'am.

PHOEBE. Say you are sorry, Arthur, and I won't punish you.

(_He bursts into tears._)

ARTHUR. You promised to cane me, and now you are not going to do it.

PHOEBE (_incredulous_). Do you wish to be caned?