sits down_.] Take off my boots. [EVERSMANN _pulls off
the boots with difficulty_.] Has the Prince of Baireuth been here yet?

EVERSMANN.

Is Your Majesty going to all this trouble on his account?

KING.

On his account? Possibly. [_Aside_.] I'll lead them all a dance.
[_Aloud_.] Zounds! Villain! Rascal! My corns! I believe the rogue is
hurting me on purpose--because I won't tell him anything.

EVERSMANN.

But, Your Majesty, I haven't asked any questions yet.

KING.

I'll have you asking questions! Now what are you laughing at, sirrah?
Heh? Fetch me my dressing gown until you have found the uniform.
[EVERSMANN _turns to go_.] Hey, there! Why did you laugh just now?

EVERSMANN.

Because I know--that before I have brought Your Majesty your hat Your
Majesty will have told me all about it.

KING (_threatening him with his cane_).

You rascal--how dare you?

EVERSMANN (_retiring toward the door_).

Your Majesty can't keep a secret. There is only one thing Your Majesty
can hold fast to, and that is--_your money_! Ha! ha! I'll fetch the
dressing-gown. [_He goes out_.]

SCENE IV

KING (_sitting in his shirt-sleeves_).

He's right. It burns my heart out. But they shan't know. Not any of
them--they shan't. They've spoiled my pet plans before now. I'll play a
different game, this time, and I'll send _all_ the camels through the
needle's eye at once. They think I'm on the side of Austria. But no--ha!
ha! England's own offer, brought by the Hanoverian courier, was a great
surprise to me--he! he! England is my wife's idea--therefore I am for
England, too--and soon we'll have the wedding and the christening, ha!
ha!

[_A lackey comes in, announces_.]

LACKEY.

His Highness the Prince Hereditary of Baireuth.

KING.

Pleased to receive him.

[_The lackey goes out and the_ PRINCE _comes in_.]

PRINCE (_aside_).

Are these old crosspatch's apartments? [_To the_ KING.] That's the
King's study in there, isn't it?

KING.

Yes--at your service.

PRINCE.

Go in and announce me. I'm the Prince of Baireuth.

KING (_surprised, aside_).

What does he take me for?

PRINCE.

What fashion is this? Are you in the King's service? Is this the style
in which to receive guests to whom His Majesty has promised an audience?

KING.

Then Your Highness--wishes to speak to--to the King of Prussia?

PRINCE.

You heard me say so, did you not? Announce me.

KING.

At once, Your Highness. [_Turns to go_