Chapter IV: Act II: SCENE 3. Same as Scene 1

(_The King is walking nervously up and down the room. The Queen is sitting on the bench, sewing on an embroidery frame._)

KING (_pulling his moustache_).

I wish to goodness she’d come back. Dear me,
I’ve never known as long a day as this.

QUEEN.

Let’s try to think of something else. Let’s talk
Of something pleasant. Do you think, my dear,
That dragon in the kingdom next to ours
Will cross the border into this?

KING.

I don’t.
That new thorn hedge I’ve just had planted there
Will keep all dragons out--it’s dragon proof.

QUEEN (_gets up and walks to King_).

It’s awfully low.

KING.

Yes, but it’s awfully sharp.

QUEEN.

Oh see, it’s growing dusk!

KING.

Why, so it is,
The day is almost over.

QUEEN.

And she’s safe--
Yes, almost safe, I think.

(_The Princess dashes in behind the King. The Attendant follows._)

PRINCESS (_in the King’s ear_).

Booo!

KING (_jumping and turning around_).

Oh, my child,
Odds-bodkins how you frightened me. Dear me
My heart is going pit-a-pat with fear.

PRINCESS.

Oh you old timid thing to be a king.
Papa, mamma, what do you think I’ve found!

QUEEN (_interested and relieved now that the Princess has
returned in such good spirits_).

I can’t imagine dear--what have you found?

PRINCESS.

I’ve got it here behind my back. Just guess.
It’s something awfully interesting and strange.
Now, guess papa--just guess what it can be.

KING (_indulgently_).

Well, now--let’s see--a phoenix egg, perhaps,
Dropped in the tower.

PRINCESS.

No! Mamma you guess.

QUEEN.

A snow-white kitten with a golden tongue.

PRINCESS.

No--no--what foolish guesses! Now papa.

KING.

A talking gold finch--or a magic purse.

PRINCESS.

No, no, it’s none of these; now watch me, see--(_She jumps up to the
throne, stands before them and displays the distaff proudly._)
It’s quite the strangest thing I’ve ever seen.

(_All stand petrified with horror--a deep sigh escapes from the King and Queen._)

KING-QUEEN.

A distaff!

QUEEN.

Oh my child; my little girl!

PRINCESS (_gaily_).

Why do you look so scared? It works like this. (_The King makes a
sudden leap to snatch it from her hand. As he does so, it
scratches her._)

Don’t, don’t, Papa--ouch, ouch, I’ve scratched my hand.

QUEEN.

Oh no--oh no!

KING (_as if frozen_).

She has my dear--she has.
Here bind it quickly. No this is the spell!
Alas, the spell.

PRINCESS.

Good gracious what a fuss.
It’s just a little tiny scratch; that’s all--
Why bother so? (_She sits down on divan._)
Dear me, I seem to be (_She yawns._)
Most awfully sleepy, and mamma you look
About to drop right off (_she stretches out_).
I think I’ll take
A little nap. Sweet dreams (_she dozes off_).

KING (_kissing her and arranging her dress comfortably_).

Sweet dreams, my dear--

(_He yawns--the Queen and Attendants yawn._)

QUEEN (_nodding_).

And I feel sleepy, too--I think that I--

(_She drops off to sleep._)

KING (_yawning_).

Attendant, go prepare the Princess’ bed.
I think perhaps she’ll sleep for rather long (_shivers_).

(_Courtier is heard calling from outside, then he dashes in._)

COURTIER.

Take it away from her my lord--She has
A distaff--Oh, I tried--A frightful spell
Held me--oh--oh, I’m not too late,--I’m not
Too late--I tried,--I tried,--but failed.--

(_He sinks down upon the floor, asleep, with his head in the lap of the Princess’ Attendant._)

Curtain.