PRINCE (_with lover-like contortions and addressing himself largely to the feet_). Dew of the morning, garden of delight, sweet petals of enchanted nights, the heavens have opened and through the chink thou hast fallen at my feet, even as I fall at thine. Thou art not one but twain, and these the twain—Oh, pretty feet on which my lady walks, are they but feet? O no, O no, O no! They are so small I cannot see them. Hie! A candle that I may see my lady’s feet! (_He kisses one foot, and she holds up the other for similar treatment._) O Cinderella, if thou wilt deign to wife with me, I’ll do my best to see that through the years you always walk on kisses. (_The courtiers resolve to walk on kisses for evermore._) LORD MAYOR. The Prince has proposed. The Lady Cinderella will now reply. KING. Lovely creature, take pity on my royal son. QUEEN. Cinderella, be my daughter. LORD TIMES (_succinctly_). Yes, or no? CINDERELLA. There’s just one thing. Before I answer, I would like that little glass thing to be put in his mouth. LORD MAYOR (_staggered_). The Ther-mo-mo-meter? KING. In our _Prince’s_ mouth! LORD TIMES. Why not? CINDERELLA. Just to make sure that he is good. PRINCE (_with a sinking_). Oh, I say! QUEEN. Of course he is good, Cinderella—he is our son. CINDERELLA (_doggedly_). I would like it put in his mouth. KING. But— PRINCE (_alarmed_). Pater! LORD TIMES. It must be done. (_The test is therefore made. The royal mouth has to open to the thermometer, which is presently passed to the_ KING _for examination. He looks very grave. The_ PRINCE _seizes the tell-tale thing, and with a happy thought lets it fall_.) PRINCE. 99! (_The joyous cry is taken up by all, and_ CINDERELLA _goes divinely on one knee to her lord and master_.) CINDERELLA (_simply_). I accepts. KING (_when the uproar has ceased_). All make merry! The fire is going low. (_Recklessly._) In with another shilling! (_A shilling is dumped into the shilling-in-the-slot stove, which blazes up. The_ PRINCE _puts his arm round his love_.) LORD TIMES (_again remembering his day of days_). My Prince, not so fast. There is still the riddle. PRINCE. I had forgotten. CINDERELLA (_quaking_). I was feared there would be a riddle. KING (_prompted by_ LORD TIMES). Know ye all, my subjects, that before blue blood can wed there is a riddle; and she who cannot guess it—(_darkly_) is taken away and censored. (_The_ CENSOR _with his axe comes into sudden prominence behind_ CINDERELLA _and the two other competitors_.) My Lord Times, the riddle! LORD TIMES. I hold in my one hand the riddle, and in the other the answer in a sealed envelope, to prevent any suspicion of hanky-panky. Third prize, forward! Now, my child, this is the riddle. On the night of the Zeppelin raids, what was it that everyone rushed to save first? 3RD PRIZE. The children. LORD TIMES. Children not included. (_The lady is at a loss._)