His Audience

Prince Bojohn, a boy, the King’s grandson

Bodkin, a fisherman’s boy, his friend

The Princess Dorobel, Bojohn’s mother

Prince Bilbo, her husband, Bojohn’s father

The King and Queen of the Great Forest, Bojohn’s grandfather and grandmother, and the Princess Dorobel’s parents

Mortimer the Executioner

The Encourager of the Interrupter


THE FIRST NIGHT
STORY OF THE OLD MAN IN THE SPANGLED COAT

YOU must know (began the old man) that I am a tailor, by name Solario. In the reign of the good King Fortmain the Ninth—

“Ah!” interrupted the King. “That was my great-grandfather. Bless my soul, master tailor, you must have been imprisoned under the forest pool nearly a hundred years ago. Hum! I dare say you know what you’re talking about, but—”