Tsumu [crouching]. Descendant of paradise, forgive me.
Helena. If you bruise my perfect flesh, the King will kill you. My beauty is his religion. He can sit for hours, as if at prayer, just examining the arch of my foot. Tsumu, you may kiss my foot.
Tsumu [prostrate]. May the Gods make me worthy of your kindness!
Helena. That's enough. Tsumu, are you married?
Tsumu [getting up]. I've been so busy having babies I never had time to get married.
Helena. It's a great disillusionment.
Tsumu [agast]. What!
Helena. I'm not complaining. Moo Moo is the best of husbands, but sometimes being adored too much is trying. [She sighs deeply.] I think I'll wear my heliotrope this afternoon.
[A trumpet sounds below in the courtyard. Tsumu goes to the window.]
Tsumu. They are changing the guards at the gates of the palace. It's almost time for your bath.