TIME: _once upon a time_.
PLACE: _in the house of the poor Spinner_.

* * * * *

THE DAME.
ISABEL, _her daughter_.
FLAT-FOOT }
HANGING-LIP } _the Three Great-Aunts_.
BROAD-THUMB }
THE QUEEN.

* * * * *

[_The living-room in the Dame's cottage is seen. The_ DAME _and the_ THREE
GREAT-AUNTS _are spinning._ ISABEL _sits at her spinning-wheel, but has
stopped work and looks out of the open door._]

DAME (_sharply_). Isabel! You gaze without!

ISABEL (_nodding_). Upon those great trees, mother. How beautiful they are!
How like sentinels they stand at our door guarding us!

FLAT-FOOT (_growling_). What nonsense! You'd better be spinning.

ISABEL (_not heeding_). Mother, see you that old oak! See how proudly it
lifts its head up into the sky! 'T is the king of the forest!

HANGING-LIP (_growling_). I never heard such foolish talk!