Manus:  (Coming inside.) I am a lad in search of a master.

Manus:  (Inside.) I am a lad in search of a master.

Queen:  And I myself that am wanting a cook.

Manus:  I got word of that and I going the road.

Queen:  You would seem to be but a young lad.

Manus:  I am not very far in age to-day.  But I’ll be a day older to-morrow.

Queen:  In what country were you born and reared?

Manus:  I came from over, and I am coming hither.

Queen:  What wages now would you be asking?

Manus:  Nothing at all unless what you think I will have earned at the time I will be leaving your service.

Queen:  That is very right and fair.  I hope you will not be asking too much help.  The last cook had a whole fleet of scullions that were no use but to chatter and consume.

Manus:  I am asking no help at all but the help of the ten I bring with me.

(Holds up fingers.)

Queen:  That will be a great saving in the house!  Can I depend upon you now not to be turning to your own use the King’s ale and his wine?

Manus:  If you take me to be a thief I will go upon my road.  It was no easier for me to come than to go out again.

Queen:  (Holding him.) No, now, don’t be so proud and thinking so much of yourself.  If I give you trial here I would wish you to be ready to turn your hand to this and that, and not be saying it is or is not your business.

Manus:  My business is to do as the King wishes.

Queen:  That’s right.  That is the way the servants were in the palace of the King of Alban.

Manus:  That’s the way I was myself in the King’s house of Sorcha.

Queen:  Are you saying it is from that place you are come?  Sure that should be a great household!  The King of Sorcha, they were telling me, has seven castles on land and seven on the sea, and provision for a year and a day in every one of them.

Manus:  That might be.  I never was in more than one of them at the one time.

Queen:  Anyone that has been in that place would surely be fitting here.  Keep him, Nurse!  Don’t let him make away from us till I will go call the King!

(Goes out.)

Nurse:  Sure it was I myself that fostered the young King of Sorcha and reared him in my lap!  What way is he at all?  My lovely child!  Give me news of him!

Manus:  I will do that....

Nurse:  To hear of him would delight me!

Manus:  It is I that can tell you....

Nurse:  It is himself should be a grand king!

Manus:  Listen till you hear!...

Nurse:  His father was good and his mother was good, and it’s likely, himself will be the best of all!