King of Hearts. Come, come, cousin, heed him not. (The Joker moves over to the throne of the Queen of Hearts, and enters into earnest conversation with her.) It pleases me to hear you say you bring a good appetite to the feast.
King of Spades. Verily I feel as though I were one vast incarnation of appetite.
King of Hearts. All the more honor will you do us, and we shall ever recall this Fourth of July as one that pleased you. And the good lady of Spades, has she too—
Queen of Hearts (screams). Ah, me! Ah, lackaday, lackaday! [Faints.]
King of Hearts. What is this? What is this? The Queen faints! A cup! a cup!
Queen of Diamonds, Queen of Clubs, Queen of Spades (rising and rushing to the Queen of Hearts' seat. They pat her hands and fan her). Yes, a cup, a cup!
[The three Knaves rush out, R., tumbling over one another and shouting "Water, water!" The Knaves return, one at a time, bearing glasses of water, but they are met each time by the King of Spades, who takes the glass, goes half-way to the Queen of Hearts, and then, in his excitement, drinks the water himself. This "business" can be carried on while the ensuing dialogue is being spoken.]
Queen of Hearts (recovering herself). Nay, nay, trouble not. I am myself again. It was merely the Joker.
[The three Queens resume their seats.]
King of Hearts (angrily). The Joker?