The One Hundred and Fifty Divisions
Our hearts, our hearts, they tell us so—
What is it that our hearts don’t know!
(Each places a hand over his heart.)
Noxus Podunkus
(Falling back on seven pillows and taking a deep breath.) Beautiful! Beautiful! Even so! And given as it should be! Let me hear you say that again, my dears and dearesses! Let me hear it again! (They repeat it, waving pink handkerchiefs. The audience bursts into deafening applause lasting seventy-eight minutes. The Loobies and Gaberlunzies leap in the air, turn three somersaults before landing, and fall on their feet. Five thousand wirelesses are sent. NOXUS PODUNKUS, falling back and strangling with joy.) This is too much! Too much! Who can say now that the world has not progressed! (He is lifted up, feathered and doused with souffle.) With the consent of my fellow Moonshees (looks about him affably at the sleeping Moonshees), I will now excuse these very good people. (Feeble calls of “Beautiful! Beautiful!” and “Let them be excused!” from the Moonshees.) You may go, my dears and dearesses! You may go! (He collapses.)