Is truly thine.
'T is it I lay the fault on.
(Exit Fairies, sorrowfully following Fairy Queen.)
(Enter Phyllis.)
PHYLLIS—I can't think why I am not in better spirits. I am engaged to one General Freight Agent and one General Passenger Agent, and could have the whole railway association if I only said the word. As for Strephon, I hate him. No girl would care for a young man who was considerably older than his mother—though nowadays there are a good many such floating about.
(Enter Lord Beeseekew.)
LORD B.—Phyllis, my own!
PHYLLIS—How dare you! But perhaps you are the Freight Agent—or the General Passenger Agent.
LORD B.—I am—the latter.
PHYLLIS—How did you secure the distinction?
LORD B.—To be frank, because everybody was rushing for positions on the Alton, and they left the post uncovered. I have held the place a long time.
PHYLLIS—Because nobody else would have it?
LORD B.—Not so much that as because now the Alton has run our business down so, there is no money to pay salaries with, and I am willing to wait for mine. The stockholders appreciate my kindness.
(Enter Lord See Eyear.)
LORD S.—Dearest Phyllis! (Embraces her.)
PHYLLIS—The Freight Agent! Well, have you settled? Have you settled which of you it is to be?
LORD S.—It is n't quite settled. We tossed for it, but we did it in a saloon where the dice always threw sixes. We got hold of the proprietor's private set. Suppose we leave the choice to you?
PHYLLIS—How can it possibly concern me? You are both railway officials. You both get everything but your salaries, and I don't see where I am to choose. If one of you will throw up your share in your so-called railway, and admit the Alton to be, what it is, the first line in the world, I might perhaps take time to consider.
