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.)