[_Thunder_]. What does that mean? What have I done now?
ZOO. [_severely_] How often must you be told that we cannot foresee the
future? There is no such thing as the future until it is the present.
THE ELDERLY GENTLEMAN. Allow me to point out, madam, that when the
Potterbill party sent to consult the oracle fifteen years ago, the
oracle prophesied that the Potterbills would be victorious at the
General Election; and they were. So it is evident that the oracle can
foresee the future, and is sometimes willing to reveal it.
THE ENVOY. Quite true. Thank you, Poppa. I appeal now, over your head,
young woman, direct to the August Oracle, to repeat the signal favor
conferred on my illustrious predecessor, Sir Fuller Eastwind, and to
answer me exactly as he was answered.
_The oracle raises her hands to command silence._
ALL. Sh-sh-sh!
_Invisible trombones utter three solemn blasts in the manner of Die
Zauberfloete._
THE ELDERLY GENTLEMAN. May I--
ZOO [_quickly_] Hush. The oracle is going to speak.
THE ORACLE. Go home, poor fool.
_She vanishes; and the atmosphere changes to prosaic daylight.
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