THE PRINCESS. Oh no. I am quite satisfied. Please--

ERMYNTRUDE. Is Your Highness dissatisfied with me?

THE PRINCESS [intimidated]. Oh no: please don't think that. I
only meant--

ERMYNTRUDE [to the manager]. You hear. Perhaps you think Her
Highness is going to do the work of teaching you your place
herself, instead of leaving it to her maid.

THE MANAGER. Oh please, mademoiselle. Believe me: our only wish
is to make you perfectly comfortable. But in consequence of the
war, all royal personages now practise a rigid economy, and
desire us to treat them like their poorest subjects.

THE PRINCESS. Oh yes. You are quite right--

ERMYNTRUDE [interrupting]. There! Her Highness forgives you; but
don't do it again. Now go downstairs, my good man, and get that
suite on the first floor ready for us. And send some proper tea.
And turn on the heating apparatus until the temperature in the
rooms is comfortably warm. And have hot water put in all the
bedrooms--

THE MANAGER. There are basins with hot and cold taps.

ERMYNTRUDE [scornfully]. Yes: there WOULD be. Suppose we must put
up with that: sinks in our rooms, and pipes that rattle and bang