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---
BLUE PRINCE. Not too happy. Too weak. Help you eat. (He breaks off a
piece and holds it to her mouth. With a great effort the QUEEN
disposes of it.) Good! . . . Again! (She does it again.) Now! (She
swallows another piece.) Last piece! (She takes it in. He pats her
kindly on the back, and she nearly chokes.) Good. . . . Better now?
QUEEN (weakly). Much.
BLUE PRINCE. Good day.
QUEEN (with an effort). Good day, kind gentleman.
[He goes out.
(The KING is just coming from the cottage, when he returns suddenly.
The KING slips back again.)
BLUE PRINCE. Small piece left over. (He gives it to her. She looks
hopelessly at him.) Good-bye.
[He goes.
QUEEN (throwing the piece down violently). Ugh! What a man!
KING (coming out). Well, well, my dear, we have discovered the winner.
QUEEN (from the heart). Detestable person!
KING. The rest of the competition is of course more in the nature of a
formality--
QUEEN.
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