[_He looks about as if seeking some means of escape_. EVERSMANN _comes in carrying a large book. He has a pen stuck in behind one ear. He crosses to the door through which the_ QUEEN _has gone out_.]
[EVERSMANN _looks the_ PRINCE _over from head to foot, moves forward a few paces, then halts again_.]
EVERSMANN (_goes to the door, halts again, looks at the_ PRINCE _impudently_).
Why are you looking at me, sirrah? I am the Prince Hereditary of Baireuth.
EVERSMANN (_is quite indifferent, comes down a few steps, bows very slightly_).
His Majesty is coming in from the parade, but does not grant audiences in this room.
I thank you for the information, my good man.
I am Eversmann. [_He goes out into the_ QUEEN's _room_.]
Eversmann? The Minister of Finance or the Head Steward, I wonder? He betrays parsimony in every shred of his garments. [_Drums and the sound of presented arms is heard back_ _of the rear entrance_.] The King is coming. The King? Why should I feel so timid, so oppressed, all of a sudden? Does my courage fail me because I am about to confront this curiosity of his century? I'd rather observe him from the side at first.
[_He draws back and stands close by the door to the left_.]
_A loud knocking, as with a cane, is heard at the centre door_.
KING (_still without, beats the door loudly with his cane_).
The door is open, Your Majesty. [_Goes to centre door, opens it_.]
KING (_in corridor but not yet visible_).
Eversmann, have you forgotten that this is the day for revising the books?
No, indeed, Your Majesty. I was occupied in balancing the books of Her Majesty the Queen.
QUEEN (_comes out from her door, listens timidly_).
Eversmann, tell the castellan that eleven o'clock is closing hour for my wife's apartment, and that, if I see a light again in her rooms until after midnight, I will come over myself at the stroke of twelve to search into every corner and to discover what political plot is brewing there. You'd better tell my wife yourself, sirrah--so that she may obey orders.
Now go to my daughter too, the Princess Wilhelmine--
And tell her to have a care--this Laharpe--is a rascal.
And tell my daughter that I will teach a lesson to the Crown Prince for sending these French vagabonds here, who pretend to be teachers of the language and are merely ordinary, good-for-nothing wigmakers.