ACT 1, scene I. Three gentlemen, Arthur, Shakestone and Bantam have had their hunting disrupted by inexplicable events. To them enters Whetstone, nephew of Mistress Generous, and presumptive heir to Master Generous. Whetstone has a ‘Cratyltic’ name, in reference to an adage that no whetstone is needed to put an edge on a liar’s tongue. Socially insecure (he was the illegitimate son of Mistress Generous’ sister), Whetstone is scorned by the other men, but they have all agreed to dine at Master Generous’ house. Master Generous himself enters, to invite them in. The conversation shifts to the strange inversion of all authority in the local Seely household.