Mother: I won't say what I don't know. My
memory is too weak for me to be telling lies.
Conan: You could strengthen it if you took it
in hand, putting a knot in the corner of your shawl
to keep such and such a thing in mind.
Mother: If I did I should put another knot in
the other corner to remember what was the first
one for.
Conan: You'd remember it well enough if it
was a pound of tea!
Mother: Ah, maybe it's best be as I am and not
to be running carrying lies here and there, putting
trouble on people's mind.
Conan: Isn't it terrible to be seeing all this
folly around me and not to have a way to
better it!
Mother: Ah, dear, it's best leave the time under
the mercy of the Man that is over us all.
Conan: (Jumping up furious.) Where's the
use of old people being in the world at all if they
cannot keep a memory of things gone by! (Sings.)
(Air, "O the time I've lost in wooing.")
"O the time I've lost pursuing
And feeling nothing doing,