GOODMAN.  She would be very useful to my wife.  She could make all sorts of profit out of her.

THIRD PEASANT.  Indeed she could, Goodman!

GOODMAN.  How often she has said,—­“If now we only had a goose!”

THIRD PEASANT.  Well, this goose is for sale.

GOODMAN.  I will give my sheep for your goose and thanks into the bargain.

THIRD PEASANT.  I am willing; here is your goose.

GOODMAN.  Here is your sheep.

[The Peasant goes off with the sheep.  The Goodman discovers a hen in the TOLL-KEEPER’S potato field.]

GOODMAN (calling).  That’s the finest fowl I ever saw, Toll-keeper!

TOLL-KEEPER.  You’re right about that, Goodman.

GOODMAN.  She’s finer than our pastor’s brood-hen!  Upon my word she is!  I should like to have that fowl!

TOLL-KEEPER.  She is for sale.

GOODMAN.  I think it would be a good exchange if I could get her for my goose.

TOLL-KEEPER.  Well, it wouldn’t be a bad thing.

GOODMAN.  Then here is your goose.

TOLL-KEEPER.  Here is your fowl.

[Enter a HOSTLER carrying a sack.]

GOODMAN (to Hostler).  What have you in that sack, friend?

HOSTLER.  Rotten apples—­to feed the pigs with.

GOODMAN.  Why, that will be a terrible waste.  I should like to take them home to my wife.

HOSTLER (astonished).  To your wife?

GOODMAN (nodding).  You see, last year our old apple tree bore only one apple, which we kept in the cupboard till it was quite rotten.  It was always property, my wife said.

HOSTLER.  What will you give me for the sackful?  Your wife would then have a great deal of property.

GOODMAN.  Well, I will give you my fowl in exchange.

HOSTLER.  Here is your sack of rotten apples.

GOODMAN.  Here is your fowl.

[The Hostler goes with the fowl.]

TOLL-KEEPER.  Toll, Goodman!

GOODMAN.  I will not go to the Fair to-day.  I have done a great deal of business, and I am tired.  I will go back home.

SCENE III

TIME:  two hours later. 
PLACE:  the old farmhouse.

* * * * *

THE GOODMAN. 
HIS WIFE.

* * * * *

[Enter the GOODMAN, carrying the sack.  The WIFE waits for him in the spare room, because he has been away.]

GOODMAN.  Well, Wife, I’ve made the exchange.

WIFE.  Ah, well, you always understand what you’re about.

GOODMAN.  I got a cow in exchange for the horse.

WIFE.  Good!  Now we shall have plenty of milk and butter and cheese on the table.  That was a fine exchange!

GOODMAN.  Yes, but I changed the cow for a sheep.