OLD LADY. Why, we are not old——
MASTER OF CEREMONIES. Yes, my Queen. When the new era opened [he sighs], we couldn't keep up with it, and so we were left behind——
OLD LADY. The new era? What kind of talk is that? When did it begin?
MASTER OF CEREMONIES. It is easy to figure out when the year one began—It was night, for that matter; the stars were shining brightly, and the weather must have been mild, as the shepherds remained in the open——
OLD LADY. Oh, yes, yes—Are we not going to dance here to-night?
MASTER OF CEREMONIES. Of course, we are. The Prince is waiting for a chance to ask you——
OLD LADY. [To the MASTER OF CEREMONIES] IS he a real Prince?
MASTER OF CEREMONIES. A real one, my Queen. That is to say, he has full reality in a certain fashion——
OLD LADY. [To the PRINCE, who is asking her to dance] You don't look happy, my Prince?
PRINCE. I am not happy.