Queen: I'll put a knot on my handkerchief till
such time as I can give my mind to it.... Now,
my dear (to King), make no more delay. It is
right to drink it down after your meal. The
stomach to be bare empty, the medicine might
prey upon the body till it would be wore away
and consumed.
King: Time enough. Let it settle now for
a minute.
Queen: Here, now, I'll hold your nose the way
you will not get the taste of it.
(She holds spoon to his mouth. A ball flies
in at window; he starts and medicine
is spilled.)
Princess: (Coming in with Nurse.) Is it true
what they are telling me?
Queen: Do you see that you near hit the King
with your ball, and, what is worse again, you have
his medicine spilled from the spoon.
Princess: (Patting him.) Poor old King.
Queen: Have you your lessons learned?
Princess: (Throwing books in the air.) Neither
line nor letter of them! Poem book! Brehon
Laws! I have done with books! I am seventeen
years old to-day!
Queen: There is no one would think it and
you so flighty as you are.