JILL.  Six and carry five.  Aunt Jane has sent for the doctor to look at my chest.

OLIVER.  What’s the matter with your chest?

JILL.  I blew my nose rather loud at prayers this morning.

OLIVER.  I say, Jill, you are going it!

JILL.  It wasn’t my fault, Oliver.  Aunt Jane turned over two pages at once and made me laugh, so I had to turn it into a blow.

OLIVER.  Bet you what you like she knew.

JILL.  Of course she did, and she’ll tell the doctor, and he’ll be as beastly as he can.  What did she say to you for being late?

OLIVER.  I said somebody had bagged my sponge, and she wouldn’t like me to come down to prayers all unsponged, and she said, “Excuses, Oliver, always excuses!  Leave me.  I will see you later.”  Suppose that means I’ve got to go to bed this afternoon.  Jill, if I do, be sporty and bring me up “Marooned in the Pacific.”

JILL.  They’ll lock the door.  They always do.

OLIVER.  Then I shall jolly well go up for a handkerchief this morning, and shove it in the bed, just in case.  Cave—­here’s Pin.

MISS PINNIGER returns to find them full of zeal.

GOVERNESS (sitting down at her desk).  Well, Oliver, have you learnt your piece of poetry?

OLIVER (nervously).  I—­I think so, Miss Pinniger.

GOVERNESS.  Close the book, and stand up and say it. (Oliver takes a last despairing look, and stands up.) Well?

OLIVER.  It was a summer evening—–­

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.

JILL (in a whisper).  After Blenheim.

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 . . .

GOVERNESS.  And he before—–­

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—–­

GOVERNESS.  Well, what was he before?

OLIVER (hopefully).  Blenheim?  Oh no, it was after Blenheim.

GOVERNESS (wearily).  His cottage door.

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.