ard if we were to be "struck" so!

COLONEL I don't think we shall be struck so. Perhaps we're a
little awkward at first -- but everything must have a beginning.
Oh, here they come! 'Tention!

[They strike fresh attitudes, as ANGELA and SAPHIR enter, L.]

ANGELA [seeing them] Oh, Saphir -- see -- see! The immortal
fire has descended on them, and they are of the Inner Brotherhood
-- perceptively intense and consummately utter.

[The OFFICERS have some difficulty in maintaining their
constrained attitudes.]

SAPHIR [in admiration] How Botticelian! How Fra Angelican! Oh,
Art, we thank thee for this boon!

COLONEL [apologetically] I'm afraid we're not quite right.

ANGELA Not supremely, perhaps, but oh, so all -- but!
[to SAPHIR] Oh, Saphir, are they not quite too all -- but?

SAPHIR They are indeed jolly utter!

MAJOR [in agony] I wonder what the Inner Brotherhood usually
recommend for cramp?

COLONEL Ladies, we will not deceive you. We are doing this at
some personal inconvenience with a view of expressing the
extremity of our devotion to you. We trust that it is not
without its effect.

ANGELA We will not deny that we are much moved by this proof of
your attachment.

SAPHIR Yes, your conversion to the principles of Aesthetic Art
in its highest development has touched us deeply.

ANGELA And if Mr. Bunthorne should remain obdurate--

SAPHIR Which we have every reason to believe he will--

MAJOR [aside, in agony] I wish they'd make haste! [The others
hush him.]

ANGELA We are not prepared to say that our yearning hearts will
not go out to you.

COLONEL [as giving a word of command] By sections of threes --
Rapture! [All strike a fresh attitude, expressive of aesthetic
rapture.]

SAPHIR Oh, it's extremely good -- for beginners it's admirable.

MAJOR The only question is, who will take who?

COLONEL Oh, the Duke chooses first, as a matter of course.

DUKE Oh, I couldn't thank of it -- you are really too good!

COLONEL Nothing of the kind. You are a great matrimonial fish,
and it's only fair that each of these ladies should have a chance
of hooking you. It's perfectly simple. Observe, suppose you
choose Angela, I take Saphir, Major takes nobody. [with
increasing speed] Suppose you choose Saphir, Major tales Angela,
I take nobody. Suppose you choose neither, I take Angela,