SHOEMAKER. Of course, madam, if you say black, black they shall be.

KAREN. The little princess wore red shoes, Grandmother.

SHOEMAKER (nodding). That is true; I saw them myself.

GRANDMOTHER. Red shoes?

KAREN (nodding). Of beautiful red morocco. The queen let the princess stand at a window so every one could see her new shoes.

SHOEMAKER. It is all true, madam.

GRANDMOTHER. No matter; Karen is to have black shoes.

(Taking up a pair of shoes.)

Here, this pair suits me exactly.

SHOEMAKER (surprised). But, madam, those shoes are—