wet towels to-night, and, beginning to-morrow, you will ride no other horse than Pretty.
Georg—Pretty? Oh, mother!
Beatrice—Silence! [They are suddenly silent.] I have a surprise for you. You don't deserve it.
Arsen—What is it?
Georg—What?
Beatrice—Guess.
Arsen—Alexandra is going to be a queen. [Great embarrassment. Silence. Alexandra makes a startled movement.]
Beatrice—Ill-mannered boy! How can you say such a thing? I forbid you even to think of such things. See here! I hope it isn't you who puts such ideas into the boys' heads.
Agi—Heaven forbid, your highness!
Beatrice—Where then did you get that idea?
Georg—Why, I told it to him.
Beatrice—And where did you get it?
Georg—I thought of it myself.
Beatrice—What?
Georg—Don't be angry because I can see things for myself, mother. I have eyes in my head.
Beatrice—If his highness, Prince Albert, weren't coming here soon I'd punish you severely. But don't suppose that you'll get off so easily. [To Agi.] And you might have reported to me that
