ERMYNTRUDE [staring at the contents]. What awful taste he must
have! I can't wear that.

THE INCA [reddening]. Take care, madam! This brooch was designed
by the Inca himself. Allow me to explain the design. In the
centre, the shield of Arminius. The ten surrounding medallions
represent the ten castles of His Majesty. The rim is a piece of
the telephone cable laid by His Majesty across the Shipskeel
canal. The pin is a model in miniature of the sword of Henry the
Birdcatcher.

ERMYNTRUDE. Miniature! It must be bigger than the original. My
good man, you don't expect me to wear this round my neck: it's as
big as a turtle. [He shuts the case with an angry snap.] How much
did it cost?

THE INCA. For materials and manufacture alone, half a million
Perusalem dollars, madam. The Inca's design constitutes it a work
of art. As such, it is now worth probably ten million dollars.

ERMYNTRUDE. Give it to me [she snatches it]. I'll pawn it and buy
something nice with the money.

THE INCA. Impossible, madam. A design by the Inca must not be
exhibited for sale in the shop window of a pawnbroker. [He flings
himself into his chair, fuming.]

ERMYNTRUDE. So much the better. The Inca will have to redeem it
to save himself from that disgrace; and the poor pawnbroker will