WIFE.  Yes, I think it would be as well to sell our horse.  Or, as you say, we might exchange him for something more useful.

GOODMAN.  What shall we exchange him for?

WIFE.  You know best, Goodman.  Whatever you do will be right.

GOODMAN (starting out).  It is Fair-day.  I will ride into town and see what can be done.

WIFE.  Wait till I fasten your neckerchief!  You shall have a pretty double bow this time, for you are going to the Fair.

(She ties the neckerchief.  The Goodman starts out.)

Wait till I have smoothed your hat!

(She smooths his old hat.)

Now you are ready.

GOODMAN (going).  Be at the window, Wife.

WIFE (nodding).  Yes, surely, and I will wave at you as you ride by.

SCENE II

TIME:  two hours later. 
PLACE:  near the toll-gate on the road to the Fair.

* * * * *

THE GOODMAN. 
FIRST PEASANT. 
SECOND PEASANT. 
THIRD PEASANT. 
TOLL-KEEPER. 
HOSTLER.

* * * * *

[The GOODMAN is seen riding his horse.  Enter, from a country lane, a PEASANT, driving a cow.]

GOODMAN (stopping; calling).  Halloo, there—­you with the cow!

PEASANT (stopping).  Yes, Goodman.

GOODMAN.  Your cow gives good milk, I am certain.

PEASANT (nodding).  None richer in this country!

GOODMAN.  A horse is of more value than a cow, but I don’t care for that.  A cow will be more useful to me; so if you like, we’ll exchange.

PEASANT.  To be sure I will.  Here is your cow.

GOODMAN.  Here is your horse.

[The Peasant goes off riding the horse.  A SECOND PEASANT, driving a sheep, enters from a field near by.]

GOODMAN (sees him and calls).  Halloo, there—­you with the sheep!

SECOND PEASANT (stopping).  Yes, Goodman.

GOODMAN.  I should like to have that sheep.

SECOND PEASANT.  She is a good, fat sheep.

GOODMAN.  There is plenty of grass for her by our fence at home, and in the winter we could keep her in the room with us.

SECOND PEASANT.  Do you wish to buy her?

GOODMAN.  Will you take my cow in exchange?

SECOND PEASANT.  I am willing.  Here is your sheep.

GOODMAN.  Here is your cow.

[The second Peasant goes off driving the cow.  Enter, from a farmyard near by, a THIRD PEASANT carrying a goose.]

GOODMAN.  What a heavy creature you have there!

THIRD PEASANT (stopping).  She has plenty of feathers and plenty of fat.

GOODMAN.  She would look well paddling in the water at our place.

THIRD PEASANT (stopping).  She would look well in any place!