RED PRINCE (speaking after him as he goes).  My good fellow, I am extremely obliged to you, and if ever I can do anything for you, such as returning a crust to you of similar size, or even lending you another slightly smaller one, or——­ (The WOODCUTTER comes back with the crust.) Ah, thank you, my man, thank you.

WOODCUTTER.  I would suggest, my lord, that you should take a short walk in this direction (pointing to the opposite direction to that which the PRINCESS has taken), and stroll back casually in a few minutes’ time when the Queen is here.

RED PRINCE.  Thank you, my man, thank you.

(He puts the crust in his pocket and goes off.) (The WOODCUTTER goes on with his work.  The BLUE PRINCE comes in and stands watching him in silence for some moments.) WOODCUTTER (looking up).  Hullo!

BLUE PRINCE.  Hullo!

WOODCUTTER.  What do you want?

BLUE PRINCE.  The Princess.

WOODCUTTER.  She’s not here.

BLUE PRINCE.  Oh!

(The WOODCUTTER goes on with his work and the PRINCE goes on looking at him.)

WOODCUTTER (struck with an idea).  Are you one of the Princes who is wooing the Princess?

BLUE PRINCE.  Yes.

WOODCUTTER (coming towards him).  I believe I could help your Royal
Highness.

BLUE PRINCE.  DO.

WOODCUTTER (doubtfully).  It would perhaps be not Quite fair to the others.

BLUE PRINCE.  Don’t mind.

WOODCUTTER.  Well then, listen. (He pauses a moment and looks round to see that they are alone.)

BLUE PRINCE.  I’m listening.

WOODCUTTER.  If you come back in five minutes, you will see a beggar woman sitting here.  She will ask you for a crust of bread.  You must give it to her, for it is the way His Majesty has chosen of testing your kindness of heart.

BLUE PRINCE (feeling in his pockets).  No bread.

WOODCUTTER.  I will give you some.

BLUE PRINCE.  Do.

WOODCUTTER (taking a piece from his pocket).  Here you are.

BLUE PRINCE.  Thanks.

WOODCUTTER.  Not at all, I’m very glad to have been able to help you.

(He goes on with his work.  The BLUE PRINCE remains looking at him.)

BLUE PRINCE (with a great effort).  Thanks.

(He goes slowly away.  A moment later the YELLOW PRINCE makes a graceful and languid entry.)

YELLOW PRINCE.  Ah, come hither, my man, come hither.

WOODCUTTER (stopping his work and looking up).  You want me, sir?

YELLOW PRINCE.  Come hither, my man.  Tell me, has her Royal Highness the Princess passed this way lately?

WOODCUTTER.  The Princess?

YELLOW PRINCE.  Yes, the Princess, my bumpkin.  But perhaps you have been too much concerned in your own earthy affairs to have noticed her.  You—­ah—­cut wood, I see.

WOODCUTTER.  Yes, sir, I am a woodcutter.