Page:Fashions for Men And The Swan Two Plays (NY 1922).pdf/177

 raised high on a majestically simple bier of stone, he lies at rest. [''He has concluded the lecture. The boys are silent, impressed. looks at his watch.''] That finishes our lesson for to-day. [Closes the book.] Have your highnesses any questions to ask?

—Last night we had a dispute with mother. She hates Napoleon. She said he was a usurper.

—That's one point of view.

—How do you mean?

—Your highnesses are free to form your own opinions. For my part, I consider him a genius who made his power felt throughout the world.

—Is that your point of view?

—Yes.

—Then it's mine too.

—That's what I call an independent opinion.

—So it is Not mine, but the professor's.

—Mother was very angry.

—With Napoleon.

—And with you.

—What for?

—For not teaching us to hate Napoleon.

—I present his story without bias of any sort.

—We told mother that, but she thinks you ought to teach us to hate him.