RED PRINCE (firmly). No, no. I must see you eating. Come! I will take no denial.
QUEEN. Th-thank you, sir. (Hopefully) Won't you share it with me?
RED PRINCE. No, I insist on your having it all. I am in the mood to be generous. Oblige me by eating it now for I am in a hurry; yet I will not go until you have eaten. (She does her best.) You eat but slowly. (Sternly) Did you deceive me when you said you were hungry?
QUEEN. N-no. I'm very hungry. (She eats)
RED PRINCE. That's better. Now understand—however poor I am, I can always find a crust of bread for an old woman. Always! Remember this when next you are hungry. . . . You spoke? (She shakes her head and goes on eating.) Finished?
QUEEN (with great difficulty). Yes, thank you, pretty gentleman.
RED PRINCE. There's a piece on the ground there that you dropped. (She eats it in dumb agony) Finished?
QUEEN (huskily). Yes, thank you, pretty gentleman.
RED PRINCE. Then I will leave you, madam. Good morning.
[He goes out.