“Well, I say no,” said Petruchio. “So to make sure, let each one of us send to his wife, and he whose wife is most obedient to come at once when he sends for her, shall win the wager which we will propose.”
“Content,” said Hortensio. “What is the wager?”
“Twenty crowns,” suggested Lucentio.
“Twenty crowns!” cried Petruchio. “I’d venture as much on my hawk or my hound, but twenty times as much on my wife.”
“A hundred, then,” said Lucentio.
“A match! It’s done,” said Petruchio.
“Who shall begin?” asked Hortensio.
“I will,” said Lucentio.
So a message was first sent to Bianca. But she sent back word that she was busy and could not come.
“How? She is busy and she cannot come! Is that an answer?” said Petruchio mockingly.