_Monkshood._ Your Ladyship, a child, whose sole luggage is a small bandbox and a large banjo, is without, and requests the favour of a personal interview. _Lady B._ (_reproachfully_). And you, who have been with me all these years, and know my ways, omitted to let loose the bloodhounds? You grow careless, MONKSHOOD! _Monks._ (_wounded_). Your Ladyship is unjust--I _did_ unloose the bloodhounds; but the ferocious animals merely sat up and begged. The child had took the precaution to provide herself with a bun! _Lady B._ No matter, she must be removed--I care not how. _Monks._ There may be room for one more--a little one--in the old well. The child mentioned that she was your Ladyship's granddaughter, but I presume that will make no difference? _Lady B._ (_disquieted_). What!--then she must be the child of my only son POLDOODLE, whom, for refusing to cut off the entail, I had falsely accused of adulterating milk, and transported beyond the seas! She comes hither to denounce and reproach me! MONKSHOOD, she must not leave this place alive--you hear? _Monks._ I require no second bidding--ha, the child ... she comes! [_Chord._ _Little_ ELFIE _trips in with touching self-confidence._ _Elfie_ (_in a charming little Cockney accent_). Yes, Grandma, it's me--little ELFIE, come all the way from Australia to see you, because I thought you must be sow lownly all by yourself! My Papa often told me what a long score he owed you, and how he hoped to pay you off if he lived. But he went out to business one day--Pa was a bushranger, you know, and worked--oh, _so_ hard; and never came back to his little ELFIE, so poor little ELFIE has come to live with you! _Monks._ Will you have the child removed now, my Lady? _Lady B._ (_undecidedly_). Not now--not yet; I have other work for you. These Christmas gifts, to be distributed amongst my good friends and neighbours (_handing parcels_). First, this bundle of cigars to Sir VEVEY LONG, with my best wishes that such a connoisseur in tobacco may find them sufficiently strong. The salve for Lady VIOLET POWDRAY, with my love, and it should be rubbed on the last thing at night. The plant you will take to the little PERGAMENTS--'twill serve them for a Christmas tree. This packet to be diluted in a barrel of beer, which you will see broached upon the village green; these sweetmeats for distribution among the most deserving of the school-children. _Elfie_ (_throwing her arms around_ Lady B.'s _neck_). I _do_ like you, Grandma; you have such a kind face! And oh, what pains you must have taken to find something that will do for everybody! _Lady B._ (_disengaging herself peevishly_). Yes, yes, child. I trust that what I have chosen will indeed do for everybody,--but I do not like to be messed about. MONKSHOOD, you know what you have to do. _Elfie._ Oh, I am sure he does, Grandma! See how benevolently he smiles. You're such a good old man, you will take care that all the poor people are fed, _won't_ you?