JOHN
That old fool
Has wits enough to know I shall be king,
And for his land's sake cheats himself to play
Sir Pandarus of Troy. "'Tis wrong, dear daughter,
To think such evil." Pah, he makes me sick!
ELINOR
Better to laugh. He is useful.
JOHN
If I were king!
If Richard were to perish over-seas!
I'd—
ELINOR
You'd be king the sooner. Never fear:
These wandering meteors flash into their graves
Like lightning, and no thunder follows them
To warn their foolish henchmen.
JOHN
[Looking at her searchingly.]