A Lady (who has provided herself with a "Manual of Architecture" and an unsympathetic Companion). Do notice the excessive use of the ball-flower as a decoration, dear. Parker says it is especially characteristic of this cathedral.
Unsympathetic Companion. I don't see any flowers myself. And if they like to decorate for festivals and that, where's the harm?
[The Lady with the Manual perceives that it is hopeless to explain.
The Verger. The dog-tooth mouldings round the triforium harches is considered to belong to the best period of Norman work——
"What did 'e want to go and git the fair 'ump about?"
The Lady with the Manual. Surely not Norman? Dog-tooth is Saxon, I always understood.
The Verger (indulgently). You'll excuse me, Ma'am, but I fancy it's 'erringbone as is running in your 'ed.
The Lady with the M. (after consulting "Parker" for corroboration, in vain). Well, I'm sure dog-tooth is quite Early English, anyway. (To her companion.) Did you know it was the interlacing of the round arches that gave the first idea of the pointed arch, dear?