Page:Fashions for Men And The Swan Two Plays (NY 1922).pdf/322

 —Entirely, my dear daughter, with only this suggestion: That you remember now and again that your sainted father used to call you his swan. Think often of what it means to be a swan gliding proudly  majestically  where the moon gleams on the mirror of the water  gliding always in that purple radiance  and never coming ashore. For when a swan walks, my daughter when she waddles up the bank  then she painfully resembles another bird.

—[Softly ironical at her own expense.] A goose?

—Almost, my girl. Natural history teaches that the swan is nothing but an aristocratic duck. That is why she must stay on the mirror of the water. She is a bird, but she may never fly. She knows a song, but she may never sing until she is about to die. Yes, dear, glide on the water head high  stately silence  and the song—never! [There is a pause.]

—[Entering at right.] Breakfast is served. ['' proffers his arm. Next goes alone. Then and  arm in arm. They exit. strides majestically after them as'']

THE CURTAIN FALLS