KING (alarmed). You will not drive me off, good woman!
GOODWIFE. And who are you, that you should sit by and wait, whilst I do all the work! And do you think you are the king, sir?
KING. No, no! I—
GOOD WIFE (interrupting). You'll fry the cakes yourself, sir! And that you will at once, sir! Go now and mend the fire, and lay this stone upon it.
[The King takes the stone; crosses to the fire, and stirs it; places the stone on the burning wood. When the stone is hot, the Goodwife pours the batter from the bowl on the stone.]
GOODWIFE. Now watch these cakes while I'm within. And watch them well: rye cakes do burn while one is winking.
KING. I'll watch them carefully, goodwife.
(The Goodwife enters hut. The King turns the cakes carefully, then sits on a log; he shows that his thoughts are far away.)
I will drive them out! I will!
(Pause.)