"Novel, indeed, and passing marvellous if achieved, your Majesty," was the suave reply. "How write you sounds with this device, Master Droop?" she asked. "Why, thusly, ma'am--your Majesty," said Droop, with renewed courage. "One speaketh, you wot--talketh-like into this hole--this aperture." He turned and pointed to the mouth-piece of the instrument, which was still in Sir Percevall's hands. "Hevin' done this, you wot, this little pin-like pricketh or scratcheth the wax, an' the next time you go over the thing, there you are!" Conscious of the lameness of this explanation, Droop hurried on, hoping to forestall further questions. "Let me show ye, my liege, how she works, in sooth," he said, taking the phonograph from the knight. Looking all about, he could see nothing at hand whereon to conveniently rest the device. "Marry, you wouldn't mind ef I was to set this right here on your table, would ye, my liege?" he asked. Permission was graciously accorded, and, depositing the phonograph, Droop hurried back to get his records. Holding a wax cylinder in one hand, he proceeded. "Now, your Majesty can graciously gaze on this wax cylinder," he said. "On here we hev scrawled--written--a tune played by a cornet. It is 'Home, Sweet Home.' Ye've heerd it, no doubt?" "Nay, the title is not familiar," said the Queen, looking about her. With one accord, the courtiers shook their heads in corroboration. "Is that so? Well, well! Why, every boy and gal in America knows that tune well!" said Droop. He adjusted the cylinder and a small brass megaphone, and, having wound the motor, pressed the starting-button. Almost at once a stentorian voice rang through the apartment: "Home, Sweet Home--Cornet Solo--By Signor Paolo Morituri--Edison Record." The sudden voice, issuing from the dead revolving cylinder, was so unexpected and startling that several of the ladies screamed and at least one gentleman pensioner put his hand to his sword-hilt. Elizabeth herself started bolt upright and turned pale under her rouge as she clutched the arms of her chair. Before she could express her feelings the cornet solo began, and the entire audience gradually resumed its wonted serenity before the close of the air. "Marvellous beyond telling!" exclaimed Elizabeth, in delight. "Why, this contrivance of yours, Master Droop, shall make your name and fortune throughout our realm. Have you many such ingenious gentlemen in your kingdom, Lady Rebecca?" "Oh, dear me, yes!" said Rebecca, somewhat contemptuously. "Copernicus Droop ain't nobody in America." Droop glanced reproachfully at his compatriot, but concluded not to give expression to his feelings. Accordingly, he very quickly substituted another cylinder, and turned again to the Queen. "Now, your Majesty," said he, "here's a comic monologue. I tell you, verily, it's a side-splitter!" "What may a side-splitter be, Master Droop?" "Why, in sooth, somethin' almighty funny, you know--make a feller laugh, you wot."