THE KING (_musing_)--Hum! If the people can see it, hey? That's a bit of a risk now, isn't it? When I wear that robe of your magic cloth it might be a good idea to have something warm and substantial underneath. It wouldn't do to have any mistakes, you know. After all, I don't want a lot of stupid louts thinking I'm parading around in my B. V. D.'s. THE LEADING DEMOCRAT--Does your majesty mean to suggest that the common people of Marma, from whom he derives all his just powers, are not to be trusted? THE KING--You know I didn't mean that. Of course I trust the people. I realize perfectly well that they'd die for me and all that, but, after all, you can't be sure of everybody in a big crowd. There'll be fishwives, you know, and Socialists and highwaymen and plumbers and reporters and everything. THE LEADING DEMOCRAT--It all gets down to this, your majesty: do you trust the people, or don't you? THE KING--I trust them as much as you do, but I don't go to excess. I don't see any good reason why I shouldn't wear an ordinary business suit under this magic royal robe. A King can't take chances, you know. He must play it safe. THE TAILOR--Don't say that, your majesty. You're a King, your majesty. Think of that. You mustn't tap in front of you, like a blind man with a stick. You mustn't fear to bump your head. If you hold it high, you know, there'd be nothing to fear but the stars. THE KING--You are eloquent, O stranger from a far country, and what do you mean? THE TAILOR--Only this: if you wear my robe you must cast off compromise and expediency. THE KING--Oh, that's all right. I was only thinking about trousers. THE TAILOR--They were a compromise of Adam's, your majesty. THE KING--Quite true, but I hope you wouldn't go so far as to object to essentials. It's mesh stuff, you know, and very thin. Practically nothing at all. Just one piece. Somehow or other I don't believe I'd feel easy without it. Sort of a habit with me. THE TAILOR--If you wear my robe you must put aside every other garment. THE KING--But this is December. THE TAILOR--Your majesty, the man who wears this cloth will never fear cold. THE LEADING DEMOCRAT--It seems to me that the only question is, Does his majesty trust the people fully and completely? THE KING--Of course I trust the people. THE LEADING DEMOCRAT--Then why are you afraid to show yourself before them in this magnificent new robe? Is there any reason to believe that they who are the real rulers of Marma cannot see this cloth which the Tailor sees, which I see and admire so much and (_pointedly_) which your majesty, Timothy the Third, cannot conceivably fail to see? It would be unfortunate if it became a matter of news that your majesty did not believe in the capabilities and worthiness of the people. THE KING--- Oh, I believe all right. THE LEADING DEMOCRAT--Then why are you afraid?