Frau v. Halldorf.
Please do.
Liddy.
It has disappeared now.
Frau v. Halldorf.
Are you quite sure that it was a royal carriage?
Liddy.
Oh, one has an instinct for that sort of thing, mother. It comes to one in the cradle.
Frau v. Halldorf.
(_As_ Milly _yawns and sighs aloud._) Are you sleepy, dear?
Milly.
No, only tired. I"m always tired.
Frau v. Halldorf.
Well, that"s just why we are at the Springs. Do as the princess does: take the waters religiously.
Milly.
The princess oughtn"t to be climbing up such a steep hill either on a hot day like this.
Frau v. Halldorf (_more softly_).
Well, you know why we are taking all this trouble. If, by good luck, we should happen to meet the princess----
Liddy.
(_Who has been looking through the telescope._) Oh, there it is again!
Frau v. Halldorf (_eagerly_).
Where? Where? (_Takes_ Liddy"s _place._)
Liddy.
It"s just coming around the turn at the top.
Frau v. Halldorf.
Oh, now I see it! Why, there"s no one inside!
Liddy.
Well, then she"s coming up on foot.
Frau v. Halldorf (_to_ Milly).
See, the princess is coming up on foot, too. And she is just as anaemic as you are.
Milly.
If I were going to marry a grand-duke, and if I could have my own carriage driven along beside me, I wouldn"t complain of having to walk either.
Frau v. Halldorf.
I can"t see a thing now.
Liddy.
You have to turn the screw, mother.
Frau v. Halldorf.
I have been turning it right along, but the telescope won"t move.
Liddy.
Let me try.
Strubel.
(_Who has been throwing little wads of paper at_ Rosa _during the preceding conversation._) What are they up to?
Liddy.
It seems to me that you"ve turned the screw too far, mother.
Frau v. Halldorf.
Well, what shall we do about it?
Strubel (_rising_).
Permit me to come to your aid, ladies. I"ve had some experience with these old screws.
Frau v. Halldorf.
Very kind indeed. (Strubel _busies himself with the instrument._)