“It’s no earthly use foretelling the fall of Troy,” expostulated Clovis, “because Troy has fallen before the action of the play begins. And you mustn’t say too much about your own impending doom either, because that will give things away too much to the audience.”

After several minutes of painful brain-searching, Cassandra smiled reassuringly.

“I know. I’ll predict a long and happy reign for George the Fifth.”

“My dear girl,” protested Clovis, “have you reflected that Cassandra specialized in foretelling calamities?”

There was another prolonged pause and another triumphant issue.

“I know. I’ll foretell a most disastrous season for the foxhounds.”