[_The children shout and rush toward_ DICK; _they catch hold of him._

THE CHILDREN. Go away!

DICK. [_With mock ferocity._] The first child I get hold of I'll
_spank_!

[_The children laugh and shout and run away from him to behind the
table._

THE CHILDREN. Spank!

GEORGIANA. Ogre! Very well! After all, I'm not vain! It would take
Barnum's human snake to get out of this gracefully, anyway!

[_Coming out, arranging her dress and hair._

DICK. Have some help?

GEORGIANA. No, thank you. But still, what a horrid person you are,
aren't you?

[_They both laugh._

DICK. _You_ aren't!

GEORGIANA. O dear me! Making up now with a compliment! Well, what do
you think of my birthday antics? Playing hide and seek--or, perhaps,
trained elephants--doesn't interest you!