QUEEN OF HEARTS. Come, speak no more of his life. It is no longer forfeit. He hath promised restitution, and the King will bestow plenary pardon. KING OF SPADES. Well, as for me, I am more anxious as to the crackers than as to any Knave's life. [_Music. Enter, L., the four KNAVES, each bearing two large fire-crackers. There are tarts in each. The KNAVES sand side by side along the wall, L._] KING OF SPADES. Aha, the fire-crackers, the fire-crackers! QUEEN OF SPADES. And most wondrous, wondrous are they! QUEEN OF DIAMONDS. Truly they be most marvellously fashioned. KING OF HEARTS. Now, Knave, according to my promise, and because of the gracious intercession of the Queen, thy life is spared, for thou hast brought back the fire-crackers. Take them to the board. And if ever again thou art taken a thief, thou needst not reckon thy life at the hundredth part of a farthing. KING OF SPADES. But, Sir King, the Knave did say he took the fire-crackers that he might place somewhat therein. KING OF HEARTS. True, I remember he said so. Hast thou placed aught within them, Knave? KNAVE OF HEARTS. Ay, my lord. When I did first purloin the Queen's tarts last summer, methought to eat them. But being so sorely beaten by your Majesty, I did refrain, and so kept the tarts uneaten. To-day I return the tarts in the fire-crackers, thereby making double restitution to her most charitable and generous Majesty the Queen of Hearts. [_The KNAVES open the fire-crackers and shake out the tarts into a tray held by the JOKER._] QUEEN OF HEARTS. The tarts? [Illustration: "THE IDENTICAL TARTS!"] KNAVE OF HEARTS. Ay, my Queen, the identical tarts. QUEEN OF CLUBS. But they must be stale of the last summer? JOKER. Nay, fair lady. These be royal tarts, and not of the general. Age cannot stale them, nor can human possibility limit their infinite variety. QUEEN OF HEARTS. Taste them, fair cousins, taste them. [_The JOKER passes around the tarts; each player takes one._] KING OF SPADES. And do I not taste? Do I have no tart? QUEEN OF HEARTS. Ay, Sir King, there shall none go hungry here. KING OF SPADES (_having taken a tart with each hand, bites out of each in turn as he speaks_). Ah, a strawberry tart and a gooseberry tart. But they be both most toothsome. Most excellent, most excellent, my lady of Hearts. QUEEN OF DIAMONDS. Verily they are as if they had but just come from the oven! QUEEN OF CLUBS. Most deliciously sweet. QUEEN OF SPADES. So good I never tasted before. KING OF HEARTS (_to KNAVE OF HEARTS_). It is well for thee, Knave, that thou hast so wisely demeaned thyself. The return of the tarts cleanses thee of all past evil-doing. Henceforth I hope thou wilt be, as before, a good Knave, a strong Knave, and a loyal Knave. Good friends, let us now to the banquet. KING OF SPADES. A most laudable purpose!