THE KING—Oh, that's all right. I was only thinking about trousers.
THE TAILOR—They were a compromise of Adam's, your majesty.
THE KING—Quite true, but I hope you wouldn't go so far as to object to essentials. It's mesh stuff, you know, and very thin. Practically nothing at all. Just one piece. Somehow or other I don't believe I'd feel easy without it. Sort of a habit with me.
THE TAILOR—If you wear my robe you must put aside every other garment.
THE KING—But this is December.
THE TAILOR—Your majesty, the man who wears this cloth will never fear cold.
THE LEADING DEMOCRAT—It seems to me that the only question is, Does his majesty trust the people fully and completely?
THE KING—Of course I trust the people.
THE LEADING DEMOCRAT—Then why are you afraid to show yourself before them in this magnificent new robe? Is there any reason to believe that they who are the real rulers of Marma cannot see this cloth which the Tailor sees, which I see and admire so much and (pointedly) which your majesty, Timothy the Third, cannot conceivably fail to see? It would be unfortunate if it became a matter of news that your majesty did not believe in the capabilities and worthiness of the people.