[They rise and take seats at the table.
SWANWHITE. [Holding out one of her little fingers] Can you see anything?
PRINCE. What do I see? Your hand is red within, and through it all the world and life itself appear in rosy colouring——
SWANWHITE. Now pull the splinter out—ooh, it hurts!
PRINCE. But I shall have to hurt you, too—and ask your pardon in advance!
SWANWHITE. Oh, help me, please!
PRINCE. [Squeezing her little finger and pulling out the splinter with his nails] There is the cruel little thing that dared to do you harm.
SWANWHITE. Now you must suck the blood to keep the wound from festering.
PRINCE. [Sucking the blood from her finger] I've drunk your blood—and so I am your foster-brother now.
SWANWHITE. My foster-brother—so you were at once—or how do you think I could have talked to you as I have done?