r with you?
What is it you feel within you that is putting you
from your gentle ways?

_1st Wrenboy_: The thing that I feel in me is
hunger. The thing I would wish to feel inside me
is a good fistful of food.

_1st Dowager Messenger_: They have been starved
and stinted! It would kill their Godmother on
the moment if she was aware of that!

_Guardian_: It is a part of their playgame. They
have everything they ask.

_2nd Wrenboy: I_ did not eat a farthing's worth
since yesterday.

_3rd Wrenboy_: My teeth are rusty with the want
of food!

_4th Wrenboy_: I want some dinner!

_5th Wrenboy_: We want something to eat!

_Guardian_: Give them whatever you have ready
for them, Gillie.

_Servant: (Giving the plates.)_ Here is the supper
ye gave orders for this morning.

_1st Wrenboy_: What is it at all?

_Servant_: It is your choice thing. Jellies and
grapes from Spain.

_2nd Wrenboy: (Pushing away grapes)_ Berries!
I thought to get better than berries from the bush.

_3rd Wrenboy_: There's not much satisfaction in
berries!

_4th Wrenboy_: If it was a pig's foot now; or as
much as a potato with a bit of dripping.

_5th Wrenboy: (Looking at jelly.)_ What now is
this? It has like the appearance of frog spawn.

_1st Wrenboy_; Or the leavings of a fallen star.

_5th Wrenboy_: Shivering it is and shaking. It's
not natural! (_Drops his plate_.)

_4th Wrenboy_: There is nothing here to satisfy
our need.

_2nd. Dowager Messenger:_ I am nearly sorry for
them, poor youngsters. When they were but little
toddlers they never behaved like that at home.

_3rd Wrenboy_: It's the starvingest place ever I
was in!

_1st Dowager Messenger_: There must be something
in what they say. They would not ask for
food if they were not in need of it. And the
Guardian making so much talk about his table and
his cooks. We cannot go home and report that
they have no learning and no food.

_2nd Dowager Messenger_: As to learning I don't
mind. But as to food, I would not wish to leave
them without it for the night. They might be as
small as cats in the morning.

_Guardian_: They are dreaming when they say
they are in want of food.

_1st Dowager Messenger_: It is a dream that will
waken up their Godmother.

_Servant_: Look, ma'am, at the table behind you,
and you will see is this a scarce house! That is
what is set out for yourselves, ma'am, lobsters
from Aughanish! A fat turkey from the barley
gardens! A spiced and la