t the maid the surest key,
That will unlock our hearts to charity.

PRIORESS. Come forth, you are forgiven for your crime,

WIFE. Our duty's done, to leave it is full time.

JUNIOR. (_enters out of bookcase_) I'm sure I'm much obliged and if
you'd only stay awhile longer I'd like you to meet some of the other
girls.

HIPPOLYTA. We thank you for your courtesy indeed,
Since _you_ believe, there is no further need.

(_They start toward the bookcase_.)

GRISELDA. From all my mates some lesson you might learn.

EMILY. Forget us not, in case we ne'er return.

JUNIOR. Let me see, what I can learn from each: (as _she speaks each
name, the character disappears in bookcase_) Griselda,--patience;
Hippolyta,--courtesy; the Good Wife--red stockings--well, that clothes
don't matter. Emily--no _rats!_ (_hides her face for a moment_) The
Prioress--(the two NUNS _disappear_)

PRIORESS. Read the last line that Master Chaucer penned
About me, and believe it without end!

(_She disappears. The_ JUNIOR _looks at the bookcase curtain which
slowly stops swinging._)

JUNIOR. The last line! (_she picks up the book she has thrown upon the
floor and finds the passage_)

"And thereon hung a brooch of gold full sheen,
On which there was first writ a crowned A,
And after _Amor Vincit Omnia_."

_Amor vincit omnia_, love conquers all. I believe I do love Chaucer
now. And to think they all live!

(_Enter the_ FRESHMAN, SOPHOMORE _and_ SENIOR.)

SENIOR. What on earth have you been doing?

JUNIOR. Talking to the Canterbury Pilgrims.

SOPHOMORE. (_tapping her head_) Sand in her gear box.

FRESHMAN. I should think it would make her crazy to study that queer
English so hard!

SENIOR. Poor dear! I'm going to make some fudge, that will make her feel
better!

(_They start out of the room._)

JUNIOR. Oh, girls!

(_They stop and turn around. The_ JUNIOR _starts to tell them,
hesitates_.)

JUNIOR. They'll never believe it. But _I_ know.

SENIOR. What did you call us back about?

(_The_ JUNIOR _catches sight of the bookcase_.)

JUNIOR. (_with a little smile they do not understand_) Oh, nothing,
I'm just glad that isn't a sectional bookcase!

(_The others look at her blankly._)

CURTAIN.

* * * * *

End of Project Gutenberg's The Belles of Canterbury, by Anna Bir