WISE M. Everything will be well with me. I will call my pupils; they only say they doubt. [_Pulls the bell._] They will be here in a moment. They want to please me; they pretend that they disbelieve. Belief is too old to be overcome all in a minute. Besides, I can prove what I once disproved. [_Another pull at the bell._] They are coming now. I will go to my desk. I will speak quietly, as if nothing had happened. [_He stands at the desk with a fixed look in his eyes. The voices of the pupils are heard outside singing these words._] I was going the road one day, O the brown and the yellow beer, And I met with a man that was no right man O my dear, O my dear. [_The sound grows louder as they come nearer, but ceases on the threshold._] _Enter_ PUPILS _and the_ FOOL. FOOL. Leave me alone. Leave me alone. Who is that pulling at my bag? King's son, do not pull at my bag. A YOUNG MAN. Did your friends the angels give you that bag? Why don't they fill your bag for you? FOOL. Give me pennies! Give me some pennies! A YOUNG M. What do you want pennies for?--that great bag at your waist is heavy. FOOL. I want to buy bacon in the shops, and nuts in the market, and strong drink for the time when the sun is weak, and snares to catch rabbits and the squirrels that steal the nuts, and hares, and a great pot to cook them in. A YOUNG M. Why don't your friends tell you where buried treasures are? Why don't they make you dream about treasures? If one dreams three times there is always treasure. FOOL [_holding out his hat_]. Give me pennies! Give me pennies! [_They throw pennies into his hat. He is standing close to the door, that he may hold out his hat to each newcomer._] A YOUNG M. Master, will you have Teigue the Fool for a scholar? ANOTHER YOUNG M. Teigue, will you give us your pennies if we teach you lessons? No, he goes to school for nothing on the mountains. Tell us what you learn on the mountains, Teigue. WISE M. Be silent all! [_He has been standing silent, looking away._] Stand still in your places, for there is something I would have you tell me. [_A moment's pause. They all stand round in their places._ TEIGUE _still stands at the door._] WISE M. Is there anyone amongst you who believes in God? In Heaven? Or in Purgatory? Or in Hell? ALL THE YOUNG MEN. No one, Master! No one! WISE M. I knew you would all say that; but do not be afraid. I will not be angry. Tell me the truth. Do you not believe? A YOUNG M. We once did, but you have taught us to know better. WISE M. Oh, teaching! teaching does not go very deep! The heart remains unchanged under it all. You have the faith that you have always had, and you are afraid to tell me. A YOUNG M. No, no, Master! WISE M. If you tell me that you have not changed, I shall be glad and not angry. A YOUNG M. [_to his_ NEIGHBOUR]. He wants somebody to dispute with.