QUEEN.  Oh, I hate that man.

KING (soothingly).  Well, well, perhaps it will be the Blue one.

QUEEN.  If anything, I dislike him more intensely.

KING.  Or even the Red.

QUEEN.  Ugh!  I can’t bear him.

KING.  Fortunately, dear, you are not called upon to marry any of them.  It is for our darling that we are making the great decision.  Listen!  I hear one coming.  I will hide in the cottage and take note of what happens.

(He disappears into the cottage as the BLUE PRINCE comes in.)

QUEEN.  Oh, sir, can you kindly spare a crust of bread for a poor old woman!  Please, pretty gentleman!

BLUE PRINCE (standing stolidly in front of her and feeling in his pocket).  Bread . . .  Bread . . .  Ah!  Bread! (He offers it.)

QUEEN.  Oh, thank you, sir.  May you be rewarded for your gentle heart.

BLUE PRINCE.  Thank you.

(He stands gazing at her.  There is an awkward pause.)

QUEEN.  A blessing on you, sir.

BLUE PRINCE.  Thank you. (He indicates the crust) Bread.

QUEEN.  Ah, you have saved the life of a poor old woman——­

BLUE PRINCE.  Eat it.

QUEEN (embarrassed).  I—­er—­you—­er—–­(She takes a bite and mumbles something.)

BLUE PRINCE.  What?

QUEEN (swallowing with great difficulty).  I’m almost too happy to eat, sir.  Leave a poor old woman alone with her happiness, and—–­

BLUE PRINCE.  Not too happy.  Too weak.  Help you eat. (He breaks off a piece and holds it to her mouth.  With a great effort the QUEEN disposes of it.) Good! . . .  Again! (She does it again.) Now! (She swallows another piece.) Last piece! (She takes it in.  He pats her kindly on the back, and she nearly chokes.) Good. . . .  Better now?

QUEEN (weakly).  Much.

BLUE PRINCE.  Good day.

QUEEN (with an effort).  Good day, kind gentleman.

    [He goes out.

(The KING is just coming from the cottage, when he returns suddenly. 
The KING slips back again.)

BLUE PRINCE.  Small piece left over. (He gives it to her.  She looks hopelessly at him.) Good-bye.

    [He goes.

QUEEN (throwing the piece down violently).  Ugh!  What a man!

KING (coming out).  Well, well, my dear, we have discovered the winner.

QUEEN (from the heart).  Detestable person!

KING.  The rest of the competition is of course more in the nature of a formality—­

QUEEN.  Thank goodness.

KING.  However, I think that it will prevent unnecessary discussion afterwards if we—­Take care, here is another one. (He hurries back.)

Enter the RED PRINCE.

QUEEN (with not nearly so much conviction).  Could you spare a crust of bread, sir, for a poor hungry old woman?

RED PRINCE.  A crust of bread, madam?  Certainly.  As luck will have it, I have a crust on me.  My last one, but—­your need is greater than mine.  Eat, I pray.