_Prince_: My seven aunts that were saying they
have a great distrust of any person that is lively.

_First Aunt_: We would rather than the greatest
beauty in the world get him a wife who would be
content to stop in her home.

_(Princess comes in very stately and with a_
_fine dress. She curtseys. Aunts curtsey
and sit down again. Prince bows uneasily
and sidles away.)_

_First Aunt_: Will you sit, now, between the
two of us?

_Princess_: It is more fitting for a young girl
to stay in her standing in the presence of a king's
kindred and his son, since he is come so far to look
for me.

_Second Aunt_: That is a very nice thought.

_Princess_: My far-off grandmother, the old
people were telling me, never sat at the table
to put a bit in her mouth till such time as her
lord had risen up satisfied. She was that obedient
to him that if he had bidden her, she would have
laid down her hand upon red coals.

_(Prince looks bored and fidgets.)_

_First Aunt_: Very good indeed.

_Princess_: That was a habit with my grandmother.
I would wish to follow in her ways.

_King_: This is some new talk.

_Queen_: Stop; she is speaking fair and good.

_Princess_: A little verse, made by some good
wife, I used to be learning. "I always should:
Be very good: At home should mind: My husband
kind: Abroad obey: What people say."

_First Aunt: (Getting up.)_ To travel the world,
I never thought to find such good sense before me.
Do you hear that, Prince?

_Prince_: Sure I often heard yourselves shaping
that sort.

_Second Aunt_: I'll engage the royal family will
make no objection to this young lady taking charge
of your house.

_Princess_: I can do that! _(Counts on fingers.)_
To send linen to the washing-tub on Monday, and
dry it on Tuesday, and to mangle it Wednesday,
and starch it Thursday, and iron it Friday, and
fold it in the press against Sunday!

_Second Aunt_: Indeed there is little to learn
you! And on Sundays, now, you will go driving
in a painted coach, and your dress sewed with gold
and with pearls, and the poor of the world envying
you on the road.

_Queen: (Claps hands.)_ There is no one but
must envy her, and all that is before her for her
lifetime!

_First Aunt_: Here is the golden arm-ring the
Prince brought for to slip over your hand.

_Second Aunt_: It was put on all our generations of
queens at the time of the making of their match.

_Princess: (Drawing back her hand.)_ Mine is
not