BODIE. Quiet! That’s all right. (_A pretty and not very competent_ PROBATIONER _comes in at the window, carrying fishing rods, followed by_ DANNY _with croquet mallets and balls_.) PROBATIONER (_laden_). I want to shake hands with you, Mr. Bodie, but you see how I am placed. CINDERELLA. Do your pretty bow at any rate. (_The attractive girl does her pretty bow to_ MR. BODIE. _It is one of the few things she does well, and will probably by and by bring her into some safe matrimonial harbour; but in her country’s great hour she is of less value to it than a ball of twine. She is of a nice nature and would like to be of use, but things slip through her hands as through her mind; she cannot even carry a few lengths of fishing rods without an appeal to heaven. She is counting the pieces now with puckered brow._) DANNY (_one of the few men in the world who can carry four croquet balls in two hands_). You see, sir, there is a pond in the garden, and we have a fishing competition; and as there are not enough rods the men hides them so as to be sure of having a rod next day. PROBATIONER. It is very unfair to the others, Danny. DANNY (_warmly_). That’s what I say, Nurse. CINDERELLA. The Matron found a rod the other morning hidden beneath one of the men’s mattresses. PROBATIONER. The odd thing is how he could have got it to the house without being seen. (_Her counting of the pieces ends in her discomfiture._) BODIE. Anything wrong? PROBATIONER. There are only nine pieces. A whole rod is missing! CINDERELLA (_trembling for her_). Nurse, I’m so sorry! BODIE. After all, it’s a trivial matter, isn’t it? PROBATIONER (_her beautiful empty eyes filling_). Trivial! I’m responsible. Just think what Doctor Bodie will say to me! BODIE. Are you afraid of her too? PROBATIONER. Afraid! I should think I am. DANNY. And so am I. (_Before_ MR. BODIE _has time to kick, the terrible one reappears_.) DR. BODIE. I’m going over to the Home now, Dick. You must come at once, if you are coming. BODIE (_cowed and getting his coat_). Yes, all right. DR. BODIE. A great coat on a day like this! Absurd! BODIE (_remembering what_ CINDERELLA _has told him and pointing sternly_). French shoes on roads like these, ridiculous! (DR. BODIE _kicks this time—it is evidently a family trait. Delight of_ DANNY.) DR. BODIE. No. 7, you needn’t grin unless there is a reason! Is there a reason? DANNY. No, no, Doctor. DR. BODIE. Fishing rods all right this time, Nurse? PROBATIONER (_faltering_). I’m so ashamed, Doctor Bodie—there is one missing. DR. BODIE. Again! I must ask you, Nurse, to report yourself to the Matron. PROBATIONER (_crushed_). Yes, Doctor Bodie. DR. BODIE (_observing that_ DANNY _is stealing away unobtrusively_). No. 7! DANNY (_still backing_). Yes, Doctor. DR. BODIE. Come here. What is the matter with your right leg? It seems stiff.