Basil—(Calling through the door.) Hear that, Rene?
The beggar left his crutches for his gift.
(Laughter within.)
Simon—You ask him. Ely!
(Ely unlocks the iron gates and passes out.)
Basil— Bring the crutches, man!
Simon's got the gout.
(Rene comes out and joins Basil in laughing at Simon. The latter, eating his meat, walks back in the court. Basil whispers to Rene.)
Rene— When was it, Simon?
Simon—Yesterday. I was sleeping on the bench
When the old codger's shouting waked me up.
And there he was. (He points up to the road.)
I thought the man was mad,
Or had been in the gables robbing nests,
For his white hair fluttering in the wind
Looked like a pair of pigeons on his poll.
He must have thought the Devil— (He sits down on a bench.)
Basil— Or else Ely.