Part 4 (1/2)

_Jack_ (judicially). Too corky.

_Miss R._ Be leisurely. Leisure is elegance. And bend more. Try it again,--so. (ill.u.s.trates).

_Maude_ (doing likewise). I do hope I won't drop anything. How was that?

_Miss R._ (hesitating). A trifle--just a trifle--well, er-stiff. Of all things, a lady must rise well.

_Jack_ Yes, not as if she were shot out of a cannon!

_Maude_ Jack, you keep still!

_Miss R._ Try it again--so. (ill.u.s.trates). Bend from the waist.

(Maude does so amid solemn silence.)

_Jack_ (graciously). That was better.

_Miss R._ Now, go on.

_Maude_ (reading). ”Life's Inner Meanings.”

_Miss R._ Louder and more deliberately. ”Life's Inner Meanings.”

_Maude_ ”Life's Inner Meanings.”

_Miss R._ Go on, not too fast. Don't hold it so high and bend the body forward from the waist.

_Maude_ (in high shrill tones). ”As a traveler, among the mighty mountains, fails to realize the height to which he has climbed--”

(Stops, winded.)

_Miss R._ Compose yourself, compose yourself! Your voice is--well, unnatural.

_Jack_ Yes, it's squeaky.

_Maude_ (with heat). It isn't! You're awfully mean! I've got to be heard!

_Miss R._ Try it again. Use a deeper tone. ”As a traveler, among the mighty mountains, fails to realize the height--” Now, go on.

_Maude_ (nervously). ”As a traveler, among the mighty mountains, fails to realize the height to which he has climbed, so we, in Life's dusty pathway, cannot estimate the distance we have traveled.” O, Miss Rantum, that isn't right!

_Miss R._ No, not exactly, not precisely right. You see, you--

_Jack_ Why don't you use ”journeyed” instead of ”traveled”?

_Maude_ (ignoring him). Miss Rantum, what is the matter with it? I'm not doing as well as I did last week!

_Miss R._ No, you really aren't, but--

_Jack_ I say, why don't you change--