_Nurse_: Sure any mother of children walking the road could tell you that much.

_Queen_: I went maybe too far urging him not to lessen so much food the way he did. I only thought to befriend him. But now he is someway upset and nothing will rightly smooth him but to be thinking upon his next meal; and what it will be I don't know, unless the berries of the bush.

_Dall Glic: (Leaning out of the window.)_ Here!

Hi! Come this way!

_Queen_: Who are you calling to?

_Dall Glic_: It is someone with the appearance of a cook.

_Queen_: Are you saying it is a cook? That now will put the King in great humour!

_(Ma.n.u.s appears at the window.)_

_Nurse: (Looking at him.)_ I wouldn't hardly think he'd suit. He has a sort of innocent look.

I wouldn't say him to be a country lad. I don't know is he fitted to go readying meals for a royal family, and the King so wrathful if they do not please him as he is. And as to the Princess Nu!

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

_Ma.n.u.s_: I'll go on so.

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

_Ma.n.u.s: (Coming inside.)_ I am a lad in search of a master.

_Ma.n.u.s: (Inside.)_ I am a lad in search of a master.

_Queen_: And I myself that am wanting a cook.

_Ma.n.u.s_: I got word of that and I going the road.

_Queen_: You would seem to be but a young lad.

_Ma.n.u.s_: 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?

_Ma.n.u.s_: I came from over, and I am coming hither.

_Queen_: What wages now would you be asking?

_Ma.n.u.s_: 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.

_Ma.n.u.s_: 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?

_Ma.n.u.s_: 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.

_Ma.n.u.s_: 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.

_Ma.n.u.s_: 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.

_Ma.n.u.s_: 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!

_Ma.n.u.s_: I will do that....

_Nurse_: To hear of him would delight me!

_Ma.n.u.s_: It is I that can tell you....

_Nurse_: It is himself should be a grand king!

_Ma.n.u.s_: Listen till you hear!...

_Nurse_: His father was good and his mother was good, and it's likely, himself will be the best of all!

_Ma.n.u.s_: Be quiet now and hearken!...

_Nurse_: I remember well the first day I saw him in the cradle, two and a score of years back! Oh, it is glad, and very glad, I'll be to get word of him!

_Ma.n.u.s_: He is come to sensible years....

_Nurse_: A golden cradle it was and it standing on four golden b.a.l.l.s the very round of the sun!

_Ma.n.u.s_: He is out of his cradle now. _(Shakes her shoulder.)_ Let you hearken! He is in need of your help.

_Nurse_: He'll get it, he'll get it. I doted down on that child! The best to laugh and to roar!

_Ma.n.u.s: (Putting hand on her mouth.)_ Will you be silent, you hag of a nurse? Can't you see that I myself am Ma.n.u.s, the new King of Sorcha?