Maria: Hello, here I am! I'm from the convent. I'm the new governess, Captain.

　　Franz: And I'm your butler, Fraulein.

　　M: Oh, well, how do you do? Hmm.

　　Franz: Wait here, please.

　　(While waiting, Maria enters a hall. It is such a magnificent hall, that she can't help dancing. The Captain appears.)

　　Captain (Short for C): Why do you stare at me that way?

　　M: Well, you don't look at all like a sea captain, sir.

　　C: I'm afraid you don't look much like a governess. Turn around, please.

　　M: What?

　　C: Turn. Hat off. It's the dress. You have to put on another one before you meet the children.

　　M: But I don't have another one. When we enter the abbey, our worldly clothes are given to the poor.

　　C: What about this one?

　　M: The poor didn't want this one.

　　C: Hmm.

　　M: I would have made myself a new dress but there wasn't time. I can make my own clothes.

　　C: Well, I'll see that you get some material. Today, if possible. Now, Fraulein...er....

　　M: Maria.

　　C: Fraulein Maria, I don't know how much the Mother has told you?

　　M: Not much.

　　C: You're the twelfth in a long line of governesses, who have come to look after my children since their mother died. I trust that you will be an improvement on the last one. She stayed only two hours.

　　M: What's wrong with the children, sir?

　　C: There was nothing wrong with the children, only the governesses. They were completely unable to maintain discipline. Without it, the house cannot be properly run. Please remember that, Fraulein.

　　M: Yes, Sir.

　　C: Every morning you will drill the children in their studies. I will not permit them to dream away their summer holidays. Each afternoon they will march about the ground, breathing deeply. Bedtime is to be strictly observed. No exceptions.

　　M: Excuse me, sir. When do they play?

　　C: You'll see to that they conduct themselves at all time with the utmost orderliness and decorum, I'm placing you in command.

　　M: Yes, sir.

　　(Captain blows his whistle. After slamming of doors, the children appear on the terrace in a line, and then walk down one by one.)

　　C: Now, this is your new governess, Fraulein Maria. As I sound your signals, you will step forward and give your name. You, Fraulein, will listen carefully. Learn their signal so you can call them when you want them.

　　Liesl: Liesl.

　　Frederick: Frederick.

　　Louisa: Louisa.

　　Kurt: Kurt.

　　Bargitta: Bargitta.

　　Marta: Marta.

　　(The youngest girl steps forward.)

　　C: And Gretl. Now, let's see how well you listened.

　　M: Oh, I won't need to whistle for them, Reverend Captain. I mean, I'll use their names. And such lovely names.

　　C: Fraulein, this is a large house. The grounds are very extensive. I will not have anyone shouting. You will take this, please. Learn to use it. The children will help you. Now, when I want you, this is what you will hear.

　　M: No, sir. I'm sorry, sir. I could never answer to a whistle. Whistles are for dogs and cats and other animals but not for children and definitely not for me. It would be too humiliating.

　　C: Fraulein, were you this much trouble at the abbey?

　　M: Oh, much more, sir.

　　C: Hmm.

　　M: Excuse me, sir, I don't know your signal.

　　C: You may call me Captain.

　　(Captain leaves.)

　　M: At ease. Well now that there's just us. Would you please tell me what are your names again and how old you are?

　　Liesl: I'm Liesl. I'm sixteen years old and I don't need a governess.

　　M: Well, I'm glad you told me, Liesl. We'll just be good friends.

　　Frederick: I'm Frederick. I'm fourteen. I'm impossible.

　　M: Really? Who told you that, Frederick?

　　Frederick: Fraulein Josephine. Four governesses ago.

　　Louisa: I'm Bargitta.

　　M: You didn't tell me how old you are, Louisa.

　　Bargitta: I'm Bargitta, she's Louisa. She's thirteen years old and you're smart. I'm ten and I think your dress is the ugliest one I ever saw.

　　Kurt: Bargitta, you shouldn't say that.

　　Bargitta: Why not? Don't you think it's ugly?

　　Kurt: Of course, but Fraulein Helder's was ugliest. I'm Kurt. I'm eleven. I'm incorrigible.

　　M: Congratulations!

　　Kurt: What's incorrigible?

　　M: I think it means you won't be treated like a boy.

　　Marta: I'm Marta and I'm going to be seven on Tuesday. And I'd like a pink parasol.

　　M: Well, pink is my favorite color, too. Yes, you're Gretl, and you're five years old? My, you're practically a lady! Now I have to tell you a secret. I've never been a governess before.

　　Louisa: You mean you don't know anything about being a governess?

　　M: Nothing. I'll need lots of advice.

　　Louisa: Well, the best way to start is to be sure to tell father to mind his own business.

　　Frederick: You must never come to dinner on time.

　　Bargitta: Never eat your soup quietly.

　　Kurt: And during dessert always blow your nose.

　　Gretl: Don't believe a word they say, Fraulein Maria.

　　M: Why not?

　　Gretl: Because I like you.

　　Frau Schmidt: All right now, children! Outside for your walk. Father's orders. Now, hurry up! Hurry up! Quick, Quick… Fraulein Maria, I'm Frau Schmidt, the housekeeper.

　　M: How do you do!

　　Frau Schmidt: How do you do! I'll show you to your room. Follow me.

　　(On the way to her room, Maria feels something strange in her pocket. It is a toad. She cries out and throws it away.