YELLOW PRINCE. But, my dear bark-scraper, have you no feeling for clothes at all? How can I put a thing like this in my pocket? (Handing it back to him) I beg you to wrap it up. Here take this. (Gives him a scarf) Neatly, I pray you. (Taking an orange ribbon out of his pocket) Perhaps a little of this round it would make it more tolerable. You think so? I leave it to you. I trust your taste entirely. . . . Leaving a loop for the little finger, I entreat you . . . so. (He hangs it on his little finger) In about five minutes, you said? We will be there. (With a bow) We thank you. (He departs delicately. The WOODCUTTER smiles to himself, puts down his axe and goes off to the PRINCESS. And just in time. For behold! the KING and QUEEN return. At least we think it is the QUEEN, but she is so heavily disguised by a cloak which she wears over her court dress, that for a moment we are not quite sure.) KING. Now then, my love, if you will sit down on that log there--(placing her)--excellent--I think perhaps you should remove the crown. (Removes it) There! Now the disguise is perfect. QUEEN. You're sure they are coming? It's a very uncomfortable seat. KING. I told them that the Princess was waiting for them here. Their natural disappointment at finding I was mistaken will make the test of their good nature an even more exacting one. My own impression is that the Yellow Prince will be the victor. QUEEN. Oh, I hate that man. KING (soothingly). Well, well, perhaps it will be the Blue one. QUEEN. If anything, I dislike him _more_ intensely. KING. Or even the Red. QUEEN. Ugh! I can't bear him. KING. Fortunately, dear, you are not called upon to marry any of them. It is for our darling that we are making the great decision. Listen! I hear one coming. I will hide in the cottage and take note of what happens. (He disappears into the cottage as the BLUE PRINCE comes in.) QUEEN. Oh, sir, can you kindly spare a crust of bread for a poor old woman! Please, pretty gentleman! BLUE PRINCE (standing stolidly in front of her and feeling in his pocket). Bread . . . Bread . . . Ah! Bread! (He offers it.) QUEEN. Oh, thank you, sir. May you be rewarded for your gentle heart. BLUE PRINCE. Thank you. (He stands gazing at her. There is an awkward pause.) QUEEN. A blessing on you, sir. BLUE PRINCE. Thank you. (He indicates the crust) Bread. QUEEN. Ah, you have saved the life of a poor old woman---- BLUE PRINCE. Eat it. QUEEN (embarrassed). I--er--you--er---(She takes a bite and mumbles something.) BLUE PRINCE. What? QUEEN (swallowing with great difficulty). I'm almost too happy to eat, sir. Leave a poor old woman alone with her happiness, and---