here to be the size of a hayseed of fat overhead
on her broth, she'd fall in a dead faint.

_Manus_: I'll go on so.

_Queen_: No, no. Bring him in till I'll take a
look at him!

_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 w