- [But just as they are about to begin again, Sir Dandiprat Bombas, the court Chamberlain, appears on the terrace. He is a fat, puffy little man, with an enormous wig and a great sense of his own importance.
Sir Dandiprat. Ah, young ladies . . . What? Playing in the Throne Room? Tut, tut! Tut, tut!
Maids of Honour. Oh, please don't tell.
Don't tell the Queen. We didn't break anything.
Sir Dandiprat. No, on the whole I won't tell her Majesty. She might blame me. As I was going to say, I have an important announcement to make. Since Lady Cecily was sent home with the mumps your usual number, eight, has been reduced to seven. Am I right?
