Children's Classics in Dramatic Form - LightNovelsOnl.com
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GOODWIFE (_indignantly_). Well, and you will not, sir!
KING (_alarmed_). You will not drive me off, good woman!
GOODWIFE. And who are you, that you should sit by and wait, whilst I do all the work! And do you think you are the king, sir?
KING. No, no! I--
GOOD WIFE (_interrupting_). You'll fry the cakes yourself, sir! And that you will at once, sir! Go now and mend the fire, and lay this stone upon it.
[_The King takes the stone; crosses to the fire, and stirs it; places the stone on the burning wood. When the stone is hot, the Goodwife pours the batter from the bowl on the stone._]
GOODWIFE. Now watch these cakes while I'm within. And watch them well: rye cakes do burn while one is winking.
KING. I'll watch them carefully, goodwife.
(_The Goodwife enters hut. The King turns the cakes carefully, then sits on a log; he shows that his thoughts are far away._)
I _will_ drive them out! I _will!_
(_Pause._)
To-night I'll get my men together.
(_Pause._)
We will take them by surprise--at daybreak.
[_Enter the_ GOODWIFE; _she rushes to the fire._]
GOOD WIFE (_looking at cakes_). Burnt to cinders! Not one of them fit to eat!
KING. I am sorry--I--
GOOD WIFE (_interrupting)._ Oh, you good-for-nothing! I would like to beat you!
KING. What can I do to make it right?
GOODWIFE (_taking up a stick_). You'll mix more dough! More dough! Do you hear?
KING. I'll be glad to do it, Madam!
GOODWIFE (_flouris.h.i.+ng stick_). In with you! Now in with you, and get to work!
[_The King enters the hut. Enter_ DANISH CHIEF _and_ DANES _from the forest. They carry spears and s.h.i.+elds._]
GOODWIFE (_with fear; dropping stick_). The Danes!
CHIEF (_haughtily)._ Aye, Danes!
GOODWIFE. I have no silver! Not a piece, sir!
CHIEF. Burn the hut, men!
DANES. Aye! Aye!
[_They start toward the hut. The Goodwife falls on her knees before them._]
GOODWIFE. I pray you, spare my home!
[Ill.u.s.tration: "NOT ONE OF THEM FIT TO EAT!"]
CHIEF. We spare no home to any English. Do you not know that?
GOODWIFE. I've heard so--
FIRST DANE. We'll burn every home on English land before we go!
SECOND DANE. And drive every Englishman into the seas!
DANES. Aye! Aye!
GOODWIFE (_sobbing)._ I pray you--
CHIEF (_roughly)._ Come, get up! Get up and cease your weeping! I like it not. Get up, I say!
[_Goodwife rises, trembling with fear._]
CHIEF. Now listen; we will not burn your hut, if you will tell us what we wish to know.
GOODWIFE. I will tell you what I can--
CHIEF. Did King Alfred pa.s.s this way in flight?
GOODWIFE (_starting_). What? Our king in flight?
CHIEF (_angrily_). Come, no tears for him! Did he pa.s.s this way, I say?
GOODWIFE. No, my lord.
FIRST DANE. Do not believe her, chief! There's not an Englishman that would not hide him from us!
GOODWIFE (_forgetting her fear_). Aye, and die for him!
CHIEF (_angrily)._ Say not such words to me! I am your king that is to be!
DANES. Aye! Aye!
CHIEF. Go search within the hut, Danes!
