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QUEEN— Oh, no; we bring you back to bliss and Alton. And now tell me: with all the world to choose from, why on earth did you go to live at the bottom of that Iowa culvert?

IOLANTHE— To be near my son Strephon.

QUEEN— Your son! I didn't know you had a son. I hardly think you'd oughter, Iolanthe.

IOLANTHE— He was born shortly after I left my husband at your royal command.

LEILA— What is he?

IOLANTHE— He is an Arcadian brakesman. He is one of those extremely pure young persons who have passed a competitive examination of intelligence before they can become anything on the Alton Road. Ah, here he is.

(Enter Strephon.)

STREPHON—

IOLANTHE— Then the Counselor has at last given his consent to your marriage with his beautiful ward Phyllis.

STREPHON— Alas! no. He is obdurate. He wants nothing less than a General Passenger Agent.

QUEEN— But how to get round this difficulty with the Counselor. Should you like to be a General Passenger Agent?

STREPHON— That would hardly do. You see I am half human, half fairy. My body is of the Alton Fairy kind, but my legs are of another line, and would be likely to take me on the wrong track.

QUEEN— Well,