She will ask you for a crust of bread. You must
give it to her, for it is the way His Majesty has chosen of testing
your kindness of heart.
BLUE PRINCE (feeling in his pockets). No bread.
WOODCUTTER. I will give you some.
BLUE PRINCE. Do.
WOODCUTTER (taking a piece from his pocket). Here you are.
BLUE PRINCE. Thanks.
WOODCUTTER. Not at all, I'm very glad to have been able to help you.
(He goes on with his work. The BLUE PRINCE remains looking at him.)
BLUE PRINCE (with a great effort). Thanks.
(He goes slowly away. A moment later the YELLOW PRINCE makes a
graceful and languid entry.)
YELLOW PRINCE. Ah, come hither, my man, come hither.
WOODCUTTER (stopping his work and looking up). You want me, sir?
YELLOW PRINCE. Come hither, my man. Tell me, has her Royal Highness
the Princess passed this way lately?
WOODCUTTER. The Princess?
YELLOW PRINCE. Yes, the Princess, my bumpkin. But perhaps you have
been too much concerned in your own earthy affairs to have noticed
her. You--ah--cut wood, I see.
WOODCUTTER. Yes, sir, I am a woodcutter.
YELLOW PRINCE. A most absorbing life. Some day we must have a long
talk about it. But just now I have other business waiting for me. With
your permission, good friend, I will leave you to your faggots.
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