Children's Classics in Dramatic Form Part 31

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!