_1st Prince_: We would make it ready if we were acquainted with the way.

_Ogre_: It is gone cracked ye are? What is it ye are thinking to get for your supper? What ailed ye that ye didn't climb a tree and suck a few pigeon's eggs?

_2nd Prince_: We were thinking of a pigeon pie.

_Ogre_: A what!!!

_2nd Prince_: A pigeon pie.

_Ogre_: Hurry on then making your pigeon pie!

There are pigeons enough there in the corner, that a hawk that is my carrier brought me in a while ago. And there's a pike that was in the lake these hundred years, an otter is after leaving at my door.

_3rd Prince_: (_Taking a pigeon_.) I don't think this is a right pigeon.

_4th Prince_: Pigeons in a pie are not the pigeons that have feathers.

_5th Prince_: (_To Ogre_.) Please, sir, where can we find pigeons without feathers, that are trussed on a silver skewer?

_Ogre_: Aye? What's that?

_1st Prince_: Never mind. You'll anger him.

Maybe we can pull the feathers off these. I have read of plucking a pigeon in our books. (_They begin to pluck_.)

_2nd Prince_: It is very hard work.

_3rd Prince_: I never knew feathers could stick in so hard.

_4th Prince_: The more we pull out the more there would seem to be left.

_5th Prince_: It will be a feather pie we will be getting in the end.

_1st Prince_: (_Throwing it down_.) It is no use.

We might work at it to-day and to-morrow and be no nearer to a finish.

_2nd Prince_: The pike might be better.

_3rd Prince_: It has no feathers anyway.

_4th Prince_: (_Touching it_.) It is raw and bleeding!

_5th Prince_: We might roast it.

_1st Prince_: The fire is black out.

_2nd Prince_: I wonder what way can we kindle it?

_3rd Prince_: Better ask him. (_Points to Ogre_.)

_2nd Prince_: Please, sir, what way can we kindle the fire?

_Ogre_: What!

_4th Prince_: We would wish to light the fire.

_Ogre_: Well, do so.

_5th Prince_: If we had a box of matches....

_Ogre_: Matches! What are you talking about?

Matches won't be invented for the next seven hundred years.

_1st Prince_: What can we do then, we are starving with hunger.

_Ogre_: Let ye blow a breath upon a coal under the ashes, and bring in small sticks from the wood.

_2nd Prince_: (_Blowing_.) The ashes are choking me.

_Ogre_: Very good. Then you'll put no delay on me, waiting till you'll cook your supper.

_3rd Prince_: Where can we get it then?

_Ogre_: You'll go without it, as you were too helpless to catch it, or to dress it, there's no one will force you to eat it.

_4th Prince_: If there is nothing for us to eat we had best pa.s.s the time in sleep.

_5th Prince_: I am all covered with ashes and dirt. (_To Ogre_.) Please, where can I find a towel and a piece of soap?

_Ogre_: Soap! Is it bewitched ye are or demented in the head? Did ever anyone hear of soap unless of a Sat.u.r.day night? Letting on to be as dainty and as useless as those young princes beyond, that are kept closed up in a tower of gla.s.s.

Come on now. If there is no food that suits you, leave it. It is time for us to get to work.

_1st Prince_: But it is bed-time.

_Ogre_: Your bed-time is the time when I have no more use for you. Don't you know I have made a plan? What was it I sent you for, spying out that place of the young princes? Wasn't it to see where is it that treasure is kept, the golden-handled sword of Justice that is used by the Guardian when he turns Judge.

_2nd Prince_: That is kept in the Courthouse.

_Ogre_: That's right ...in what part of it?

_3rd Prince_: What do you want it for?

_Ogre_: I have it in my mind this long time to get and to keep it in my cave under ground, along with the rest of my treasures that are in charge of my two enchanted cats. I have had near enough of grubbing for gold with a pick in the clefts and crannies of the earth. It is time for me to find some rest, and get into my hand what is ready worked and smelted and purified. We are going to that Courthouse to-night. If we cannot get in at the door, I will put ye in at the window and ye can open the door to myself. I will find out where the sword is, and away with us, and it in my hand.

_4th Prince_: But that would be stealing.

_Ogre_: What else would it be?

_4th Prince_: But that is wrong. It is against the law.