(_Gets a piece of plank and writes on it in chalk. “Dere brother I am hear close buy. Yours_, NOODLE.” _To MISTER DOODLE. Places board against rock, R.C._)
It’s fortunate at school I learnt to spell.
(_Re-enter cautiously, KING, ROOSTER, GENERAL and CAPTAIN R._)
G. K. Pray cease your jokes, we have no time for fun. This is an unkind _cut_, much over done. The army gone! Say, is there further ill?
ROOSTER. Allow me to present your tailors’ bill.
(_Unfolds long roll of bill which runs out on the floor._)
G. K. It must be done. A plan I’ll now unfold, To fill our empty purse once more with gold. Stay! Are we quite secure?
(_Business; each going on tip-toe to R. and L. entrances, listening and returning with exaggerated melodramatic action. Music, soft chords. Stacato._)
CAPTAIN POUNCE. (_Confidentially._) We love!
G. KING. (_Disgusted._) They love! My love’s _declined_ with thanks. Alas, it’s true, Kings are but mortals, and I love like you.
G. KING. A mermaid. Nay, you should’nt start, A mermaid, like a cabbage, has a heart. I offered her my hand; in it the key That opened locks to all the treasury. My mountain diamond mines! my gold! I rave!
G. KING. Yes, and flung it in the wave. Since then, you know, I’ve not been worth a pin; The rocky doors are closed, I can’t get in. Listen. Next time she comes to land, we’ll seize her. And till she fetches back that key, I’ll tease her. Hullo! a step!
(_All hide, R. & L. Enter PRINCE DOODLE off rock R._)
DOODLE. Such fun! the mermaid nation, Is not averse, I find, from small flirtation. We’re getting on.
Joy! joy! So then my long lost brother’s near. He can’t be far, (_calls_) Hi! Noodle! Noodle! Noodle!
(_Exit R. calling NOODLE. Enter MONA at centre, she hesitates, looks round._)
MONA. I wonder what’s become of darling Doodle.
(_Comes down. G. King, and the others follow in stealthily; the G. King has a veil._)
We’re playing hide and seek. It’s charming play. We play for kisses, and he always makes me pay. I wonder where he’s gone!
(_G. KING throws veil over her, she shrieks_.)
We’ll hide you, miss; Can’t you afford to give a King a kiss?
Unless you get my golden key so shiny, You may as well say ta, ta, to the briny.
(_Scene closes in with view of the Cottage of the Maid of the Mill._)