THE ELDERLY GENTLEMAN.  But do you expect us to be impressed after this?

ZOO.  I don’t expect anything.  I know, as a matter of experience, that you will be impressed.  The oracle will frighten you out of your wits. [She goes into the temple].

THE WIFE.  These people treat us as if we were dirt beneath their feet.  I wonder at you putting up with it, Amby.  It would serve them right if we went home at once:  wouldnt it, Eth?

THE DAUGHTER.  Yes, mamma.  But perhaps they wouldnt mind.

THE ENVOY.  No use talking like that, Molly.  Ive got to see this oracle.  The folks at home wont know how we have been treated:  all theyll know is that Ive stood face to face with the oracle and had the straight tip from her.  I hope this Zozim chap is not going to keep us waiting much longer; for I feel far from comfortable about the approaching interview; and thats the honest truth.

THE ELDERLY GENTLEMAN.  I never thought I should want to see that man again; but now I wish he would take charge of us instead of Zoo.  She was charming at first:  quite charming; but she turned into a fiend because I had a few words with her.  You would not believe:  she very nearly killed me.  You heard what she said just now.  She belongs to a party here which wants to have us all killed.

THE WIFE [terrified] Us!  But we have done nothing:  we have been as nice to them as nice could be.  Oh, Amby, come away, come away:  there is something dreadful about this place and these people.

THE ENVOY.  There is, and no mistake.  But youre safe with me:  you ought to have sense enough to know that.

THE ELDERLY GENTLEMAN.  I am sorry to say, Molly, that it is not merely us four poor weak creatures they want to kill, but the entire race of Man, except themselves.

THE ENVOY.  Not so poor neither, Poppa.  Nor so weak, if you are going to take in all the Powers.  If it comes to killing, two can play at that game, longlived or shortlived.

THE ELDERLY GENTLEMAN.  No, Ambrose:  we should have no chance.  We are worms beside these fearful people:  mere worms.

Zozim comes from the temple, robed majestically, and wearing a wreath of mistletoe in his flowing white wig.  His false beard reaches almost to his waist.  He carries a staff with a curiously carved top.

ZOZIM [in the doorway, impressively] Hail, strangers!

ALL [reverently] Hail!

ZOZIM.  Are ye prepared?

THE ENVOY.  We are.

ZOZIM [unexpectedly becoming conversational, and strolling down carelessly to the middle of the group between the two ladies] Well, I’m sorry to say the oracle is not.  She was delayed by some member of your party who got loose; and as the show takes a bit of arranging, you will have to wait a few minutes.  The ladies can go inside and look round the entrance hall and get pictures and things if they want them.