CINDERELLA (_as still as the Venus_). For—for a ball. BODIE. There are no balls in war-time. CINDERELLA (_dogged_). Just the one. Mr. Bodie, did you ever see the King? BODIE. The King? Several times. CINDERELLA (_as white as the Venus_). Was the Prince of Wales with him? BODIE. Once. CINDERELLA. What’s he like? BODIE. Splendid! Quite young, you know. He’s not married. CINDERELLA (_with awful intensity_). No, not yet. BODIE. I suppose he is very difficult to satisfy. CINDERELLA (_knitting her lips_). He has never seen the feet that pleased him. BODIE. Cinderella, your pulse is galloping. You frighten me. What possesses you? CINDERELLA (_after hesitating_). There is something I want to tell you. Maybe I’ll not be coming back after to-night. She has paid me up to to-night. BODIE. Is she sending you away? CINDERELLA. No. I’ve sort of given notice. BODIE (_disappointed_). You’ve got another place? (_She shuts her mouth like a box._) Has it anything to do with the Godmother business? (_Her mouth remains closed. He barks at her._) Don’t then. (_He reconsiders her._) I like you, you know. CINDERELLA (_gleaming_). It’s fine to be liked. BODIE. Have you a lonely life? CINDERELLA. It’s kind of lonely. BODIE. You won’t tell me about your home? (_She shakes her head._) Is there any nice person to look after you in the sort of way in which you look after me? CINDERELLA. I’m all alone. There’s just me and my feet. BODIE. If you go I’ll miss you. We’ve had some good times here, Cinderella, haven’t we? CINDERELLA (_rapturously_). We have! You mind that chop you gave me? Hey, hey, hey! (_considering it judicially_). That was the most charming chop I ever saw. And many is the lick of soup you’ve given me when you thought I looked down-like. Do you mind the chicken that was too high for you? You give me the whole chicken. That was a day. BODIE. I never meant you to eat it. CINDERELLA. I didn’t eat it all myself. I shared it with them. BODIE (_inquisitively_). With them? With whom? (_Her mouth shuts promptly, and he sulks. She picks up the visiting cards that litter the floor._) CINDERELLA. What a spill! If you’re not messing you’re spilling. Where’s the bowl? (_She lifts the bowl and discovers the helmet. She is appalled._) BODIE (_in an agony of remorse pointing to the door_). Cinderella, quick! (_But our_ POLICEMAN _has emerged and barred the way_.) POLICEMAN (_indicating that it is_ MR. BODIE _who must go_). If _you_ please, sir. BODIE. I won’t! Don’t you dare to frighten her. POLICEMAN (_settling the matter with the palm of his hand_). That will do. If I need you I’ll call you. BODIE (_flinching_). Cinderella, it’s—it’s just a form. I won’t be far away. (_He departs reluctantly._) POLICEMAN (_sternly_). Stand up. CINDERELLA (_a quaking figure, who has never sat down_). I’m standing up. POLICEMAN. Now, no sauce.