s R._ Try it again.

_Maude_ (repeats the operation and advances very stiffly). Is that it?

_Jack_ (judicially). Too corky.

_Miss R._ Be leisurely. Leisure is elegance. And bend more. Try it
again,--so. (illustrates).

_Maude_ (doing likewise). I do hope I won't drop anything. How was that?

_Miss R._ (hesitating). A trifle--just a trifle--well, er-stiff. Of all
things, a lady must rise well.

_Jack_ Yes, not as if she were shot out of a cannon!

_Maude_ Jack, you keep still!

_Miss R._ Try it again--so. (illustrates). Bend from the waist.

(Maude does so amid solemn silence.)

_Jack_ (graciously). That was better.

_Miss R._ Now, go on.

_Maude_ (reading). "Life's Inner Meanings."

_Miss R._ Louder and more deliberately. "Life's Inner Meanings."

_Maude_ "Life's Inner Meanings."

_Miss R._ Go on, not too fast. Don't hold it so high and bend the body
forward from the waist.

_Maude_ (in high shrill tones). "As a traveler, among the mighty
mountains, fails to realize the height to which he has climbed--"
(Stops, winded.)

_Miss R._ Compose yourself, compose yourself! Your voice is--well,
unnatural.

_Jack_ Yes, it's squeaky.

_Maude_ (with heat). It isn't! You're awfully mean! I've got to be
heard!

_Miss R._ Try it again. Use a deeper tone. "As a traveler, among the
mighty mountains, fails to realize the height--" Now, go on.

_Maude_ (nervously). "As a traveler, among the mighty mountains, fails
to realize the height to which he has climbed, so we, in Life's dusty
pathway, cannot estimate the distance we have traveled." O, Miss
Rantum, that isn't right!

_Miss R._ No, not exactly, not precisely right. You see, you--

_Jack_ Why don't you use "journeyed" instead of "traveled"?

_Maude_ (ignoring him). Miss Rantum, what is the matter with it? I'm not
doing as well as I did last week!

_Miss R._ No, you really aren't, but--

_Jack_ I say, why don't you change--

_Maude_ (imploringly). What is the matter, Miss Rantum?

_Miss R._ It isn't firm. You don't seem to know what you are saying.

_Maude_ (in grave-yard tones). "As the traveler, among the mighty
mountains, fails to--"

_Jack_ (ditto). Finally, my beloved brethren--

_Miss R._ (hastily). Lighter, but firmly. Use a conversational tone, "As
the traveler, among the mountains;" "It is a very pleasant day," "How
do you do?" See?

_Maude_ (in light, quivering tones). "As a traveler, among the
mountains--mighty mountains--fails t