Lucy. Silver Shield? (crosses to back of easel; Ned leans on back of chair)
Tom. Haven’t you heard the fable? Two knights, riding in opposite directions, passed a shield, hung on a tree to mark a boundary, and meeting some time afterwards, one of them happened to make some remark about the Silver Shield they had both ridden past. “Silver,” exclaimed the other, “it was gold.” Then they disputed, and words came to blows. They fought, and killed each other. When they were both dead, it occurred to somebody to examine the shield, when it turned out that it was gold on one side, and silver on the other.
Ned. What jackasses those two knights must have been.
Tom. So remarked everybody.
Lucy. Well, they were rather silly. (crosses to Mrs. Dozey, R.)
Tom. No sillier than we are, who see a fool in the looking-glass, and don’t recognise him.
Mrs. D. (waking with a start) Bless me! I’ve been asleep.
Lucy. For two hours, Mrs. Dozey.
Mrs. D. I beg everybody’s pardon. The fact is, I thought I was in church, and Dionysius was preaching.
Ned. That sent you off to sleep. (sitting on edge of chair)