It is now years before, in the time of Helen's youth, a few months before the outbreak of the war. A great cultural arts festival is being held to celebrate the eternal peace all nations had vowed to uphold. Helen is exhibiting some oil paintings and trying to sell some. Willie and Mitch come into the gallery.



This is a painting of France.



That's nice. It's very colorful. But the people look too young.



No, you don't understand. You have to get the right perspective. This stone bridge with the little arches goes straight back through the middle of the river. it doesn't matter what size the people on the other side are.



France was the country where long ago knights rode in adventures searching for the Laws of Love. There were certain caves in which the secrets of these laws were to be found. The entrance lay on the banks of a river. Inside the grottoes were many wonders. Mysterious signs were carved on the secret rocks.

Some say that these caves still exist and that one can find their secrets. For in the great grotto lies the imperishable pear and whiskers grow.

There are the signs of the quaternary: a rock, a bee, a pear, a tree.

Some ask, is it against the laws of physics? But there is no reason why this should be so. Why cannot a pear be preserved forever in a cave beneath the ground? Why should not whisker-like crystals grow from the walls of the grotto?



I will give you thirteen dollars for that painting.



I have no idea whether that's a reasonable amount. It seems awfully little. I will go ask my sister if I ought to sell it to him for that.



Ethyl, how much do you think the painting of France is worth? Is thirteen dollars enough?



No, I think you should sell it for fourteen dollars, or fourteen-and-a-half.



Okay. It's worth more than thirteen dollars. You must pay me fourteen-and-a-half.



Oh, you're counting on the eighteen-to-forty.



What? Do you mean the odds on the Daily Double? I didn't know you were a horseracing fan. Is this like gambling?



I won't pay you fourteen-and-a-half.



Oh, can't you afford it?
Are you offended?



Yes.
I will give you seven dollars for this one.



But it's much larger.



It hasn't got any colours, though. It's all white and grey.



I didn't put any black in it. It's white and blue, not grey. I was going to paint a portrait of you, a large one, from the chest up, of you wearing your robe.



Oh.



I have already painted a portrait of you, from memory. It's blue and white. Would you like to see it?




Oh God!



Are you offended?



Yes.





TO BE CONTINUED

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Bonnieland