(_Gets a piece of plank and writes on it in chalk. “Dere brother I am hear close buy. Yours_, NOODLE.” _To MISTER DOODLE. Places board against rock, R.C._) It’s fortunate at school I learnt to spell. (_Exit NOODLE, L. U. E._) (_Re-enter cautiously, KING, ROOSTER, GENERAL and CAPTAIN R._) G. B. The army’s disinfected! G. K. What’s the reason? ROOSTER. Off without _leave_, he’s gone. G. BOUNCE. No _leaf_! it’s _tree’s_-on! G. K. Pray cease your jokes, we have no time for fun. This is an unkind _cut_, much over done. The army gone! Say, is there further ill? ROOSTER. Allow me to present your tailors’ bill. (_Unfolds long roll of bill which runs out on the floor._) G. K. It must be done. A plan I’ll now unfold, To fill our empty purse once more with gold. Stay! Are we quite secure? (_Business; each going on tip-toe to R. and L. entrances, listening and returning with exaggerated melodramatic action. Music, soft chords. Stacato._) One word! I love! (_Loud chord, all start._) ROOSTER. (_Enquiringly._) Thou love’st? G. BOUNCE. (_Suspiciously._) He loves. CAPTAIN POUNCE. (_Confidentially._) We love! ROOSTER. (_Surprised._) Ye love! G. KING. (_Disgusted._) They love! My love’s _declined_ with thanks. Alas, it’s true, Kings are but mortals, and I love like you. ALL. The maid? G. KING. A mermaid. Nay, you should’nt start, A mermaid, like a cabbage, has a heart. I offered her my hand; in it the key That opened locks to all the treasury. My mountain diamond mines! my gold! I rave! G. B. She took it? G. KING. Yes, and flung it in the wave. Since then, you know, I’ve not been worth a pin; The rocky doors are closed, I can’t get in. Listen. Next time she comes to land, we’ll seize her. And till she fetches back that key, I’ll tease her. Hullo! a step! (_All hide, R. & L. Enter PRINCE DOODLE off rock R._) DOODLE. Such fun! the mermaid nation, Is not averse, I find, from small flirtation. We’re getting on. (_Sees board._) What’s this! What have we here? (_Reads notice aloud._) Joy! joy! So then my long lost brother’s near. He can’t be far, (_calls_) Hi! Noodle! Noodle! Noodle!