e curtains_, GRISELDA.)

ALL. (_as_ GRISELDA _appears_) Griselda!

HIPPOLYTA. (_disapprovingly_)
You for patience always quoted!

GRISELDA. 'Twas only to my Duke that was devoted.
Now, further patience would but be disgrace.
I move we put that Junior in our place!

(ALL _signify emphatic agreement._)

ALL. Where is she?

FIRST NUN. That, alas, we none can tell.

SECOND NUN. Heaven help us!

(_A bell rings outside._)

PRIORESS. Hark! the ringing of the bell.

(_They draw into the background as the_ JUNIOR _comes in. She throws the
Chaucer on the floor. All the Canterbury characters jump and cry out
an if in pain as it hits the ground._)

JUNIOR. I knew that I didn't know a word of that Chaucer lesson. I don't
believe English people ever spoke like those old Canterbury pilgrims.
If I studied a year I'd never know whether a letter was silent or wasn't
silent. _I_ think it ought all to be made silent, and I think we ought
to be allowed to read George Barr McCutcheon or somebody interesting
instead of old fogies that died in--Dear me! When did old Chaucer die
anyway?

(_The_ PRIORESS _comes forward with dignity and speaks to the evident
wonder of the_ JUNIOR.)

PRIORESS. Mademoiselle, were you from Stratford-at-the-Bowe,
Where I learned French, some manners you might know.

JUNIOR. Bats in my belfry all right.

PRIORESS. Alas, my child, try while that you are yonge
To make your Englishe sweet upon the tonge.
You should speak always in fair Charity.

WIFE. Yea, but how harshly did you speak of me!

JUNIOR. I'm blessed if I know what you are, so how could I say anything?

HIPPOLYTA. We are Dan Chaucer's children, he who hath
But love for all men.

WIFE. I'm the wife of Bath.
What did you say of me? What did you say?

(JUNIOR _looks around wildly_.)

EMILY. Look out, be careful, or she'll run away.

JUNIOR. Honest, you've got me so muddled I don't know what I'm doing.
Do you want me to believe that you're people out of a book? Why those
old Canterbury Tales' characters never did live, Chaucer just made them
up. If you aren't somebody dressed up to tease me, I've got 'em.

PRIORESS. Ladies, hear that which maketh the last straw.
I plead for justice and demand the law.
Not live, when we are