THE KING. No, no--the last part. That about meddling.
THE GYPSY. It is the general feeling, moreover, that the King may be
depended upon to govern the kingdom properly--
THE KING. Without interference from these aristocratic meddlers. Yes,
yes! Those are my sentiments exactly. How well put that is--without
interference! Ah, it shows that I am appreciated among the lower
classes. They understand me. What did you say they were? Petty
tradesmen and clerks and bricklayers?
THE GYPSY. And truck drivers, your majesty.
THE KING. And truck drivers. Splendid fellows, all of them. As you
said--the backbone of my king-dom. I must appoint a royal commission to
investigate the welfare of the truck drivers. The Council of Peers will
object--but I shall ignore them. Broken-down aristocrats! what do they
know about governing a kingdom? They are useful only in war-time.
Fighting is their only talent. In times of peace they are a nuisance. I
shall not let them come between me and my people. ... (_He rises, and
with a dignified oratorical gesture addresses an imaginary
audience_)--Tradesmen! Clerks! Truck drivers! The time has come--
(_He pauses, frowns, and sits down again_.) Never mind that now.
Go on with the news.
THE GYSPY. The rest of the political news is uninteresting, your
majesty.
THE KING. It usually is. This is the first time it has ever been
otherwise. Turn to something else.
THE GYPSY. I will turn to the society items, your majesty.
THE KING. Good.
THE GYPSY. (_reciting_) All tongues are discussing the approaching
nuptials of the King and the Princess of--