Scene 1. _The Breakfast Table.

_Judge Hedelquiver._ “So Burchard & Bean are lending their interests to the Nicaragua route?”

_Mr. Cullen._ “Yes; and so are Cornish & Brothers. They are much more substantial.”

_Mrs. Hedelquiver._ “The Nicaragua route, the Panama rail-road, free trade, and so on--Frederic and Rosamonde think that these are going to do not a little toward making this world all over new. They think they are going to do their part in putting down wars and every sort of thing that isn’t brotherly and according to what the gospel enjoins. Monde, have you water? Oh yes, I see. Now I’ve tried again and again to see what connection there can possibly be between peace and the Panama rail-road, for instance; and I can’t. I don’t half believe there is any--do you, Alfred?”

_Mr. Cullen, laughing._ “Oh yes, mother?”

_Mrs. Hedelquiver._ “Yes, I suppose you do. You and Frederic, and Monde think just alike about every thing, I see. Have some more chocolate, Alfred.”