Personae.

OLD LECTURER (of incalculable age)

FLORRIE, on astronomical evidence presumed to be aged 9.

ISABEL ” 11.

MAY ” 11.

LILY ” 12.

KATHLEEN ” 14.

LUCILLA ” 15.

VIOLET ” 16.

DORA (who has the keys and is housekeeper) ” 17.

EGYPT (so called from her dark eyes) ” 17.

JESSIE (who somehow always makes the room look brighter when she is in it) ” 18.

MARY (of whom everybody, including the Old Lecturer, is in great awe) ” 20.