ERMYNTRUDE. No, thank you, Your Highness. I am only a lady's
maid. I understood you wanted one.

THE PRINCESS. Oh no: you mustn't think I want one. It's so
unpatriotic to want anything now, on account of the war, you
know. I sent my maid away as a public duty; and now she has
married a soldier and is expecting a war baby. But I don't know
how to do without her. I've tried my very best; but somehow it
doesn't answer: everybody cheats me; and in the end it isn't any
saving. So I've made up my mind to sell my piano and have a maid.
That will be a real saving, because I really don't care a bit for
music, though of course one has to pretend to. Don't you think
so?

ERMYNTRUDE. Certainly I do, Your Highness. Nothing could be more
correct. Saving and self-denial both at once; and an act of
kindness to me, as I am out of place.

THE PRINCESS. I'm so glad you see it in that way. Er--you won't
mind my asking, will you?--how did you lose your place?

ERMYNTRUDE. The war, Your Highness, the war.

THE PRINCESS. Oh yes, of course. But how--

ERMYNTRUDE [taking out her handkerchief and showing signs of
grief]. My poor mistress--

THE PRINCESS. Oh please say no more. Don't think about it. So