The Swan Page #3

in the first place?

Mother, please.

I'm sure there's

some good reason.

If he tries to make any excuses,

I shan't speak

to him. I couldn't.

I've never been

so humiliated

in my life.

Oh, my dear boy.

You look splendidly well,

and what a change

from the little

Albert I remember.

Captain Wunderlich,

your highness.

His royal highness sends word

he will be down

in a few moments.

Caesar, we shall

start again.

Come to the salon.

Oh.

Auntie.

Yes, captain?

I'm flattered.

May I show you?

11, 12, 13,

14, 15, 16, 17, 18,

19, 20, 21, 22, 23,

24, 25, 26, 27, 28,

29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34.

Here, let me try it.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.

Ha! You didn't even get started.

Whose turn now, professor?

Mine.

Are you

with cousin Albert?

When is he

going to wake up?

He has.

My cousin Arsene,

I'm willing to bet.

Yes, cousin Albert.

And my cousin George.

Yes, cousin Albert.

And this is professor Agi,

instructor in languages,

mathematics, history,

geography, geology,

astronomy, fencing,

riding, marbles.

How do you know all that?

That's what aides are for,

young man,

and that's one pleasant thing

about being crown prince--

no more lessons.

The aide learns all the lessons

and passes them on

in small doses as required,

but this he didn't mention.

Now, what particular science--

we were just

passing the time,

your royal highness.

A thing I often

have to do myself. May I?

Certainly, cousin Albert.

This must be a new game.

I've never seen it before.

Hasn't your aide seen it either?

Touche.

This boy's going

to be something

in the world...

Probably an assassin.

It's an old game, cousin Albert.

It's a game

that children play

in the villages.

The professor made it for us.

He did? Carpentry, too?

Remarkable. How did you

do it?

You need only a penknife, sir,

and a little Patience.

Just the same

as an assassin. Now.

The professor did 86.

Then we must do better.

1, 2, 3...

4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10,

11, 12, 13, 14, 15...

Albert, my dear boy.

Uh, Albert?

Cousin Beatrix...

I'm willing to bet.

Albert, my dear,

such a pleasure to see you--

you've no idea--

after so long.

23 years, I believe.

I'm delighted to pay

a return visit.

86? Are you quite sure?

I'm afraid so, sir.

Oh. Remarkable.

It hardly

seems possible, does it?

I beg your pardon?

Oh, where are they?

They went to bed.

I hope you slept well.

I'm afraid I did.

I'm so happy to hear that.

And how good

a country breakfast

tastes.

When one's in town,

one always forgets.

Breakfast?

I had it in my room

a half an hour ago.

I shouldn't

have liked you

to wait dinner.

How thoughtful.

And here is the family

so very eager to see you.

This is--

no, no.

You mustn't tell me.

Well, now, the face

is cousin Karl,

I'm willing to bet,

but the remainder...

I changed

my uniform

15 years ago.

Lucky fellow.

I change mine

every 15 minutes.

How are you?

This is--

and this is aunt Symphorosa,

I'm quite sure.

Albert, dear.

As Beatrix says,

so utterly unlike

your mother.

And this is...

This is our dear Alexandra.

So happy, cousin Albert.

Well, who can

hit the target

every time, eh?

Well, not if the target moves.

Speaking of my mother,

I ought to tell you,

cousin Beatrix,

she'll be here

on Thursday

to pick me up.

The queen here?

Purely informal.

No fuss, please.

Why don't you sit down?

Delightful boys you have.

I found them quite charming.

Too good of you.

I'm afraid

I'm ridiculously proud

of all my children.

I'm sure you are.

And the tutor.

The tutor?

Naturally.

Cousin Albert

appreciates

that the pupils

are bound to reflect

the qualities of

the tutor.

C'est ca.

And vice-versa.

Auntie, you look tired.

Tired?

Yes, dear.

You're usually

in bed by this time.

I should be

quite all right when

I've had something--

when you've

had some sleep?

I'm sure you will,

and I'm sure Albert

will forgive you.

Naturally.

But, Beatrix, we haven't--

good night, dear.

Albert, dear,

if I might have your

permission to retire.

Certainly, aunt Symphorosa.

I'm sorry to go rather early,

but I'm so very hungry.

Sleepy is what I meant.

The air here is

extremely conducive

to sleep.

I noticed that myself.

Yes, when one's new to it.

Karl, for instance,

arrived only 2 days ago,

and he's very tired.

Hmm? Oh, uh, Albert,

if you'll allow me.

It's a peculiar thing,

but I feel the need

of a little late

supper.

I suppose that's the air, too.

You've been fasting too much.

I accuse you of it.

Guilty. Have I

your permission

to retire?

Certainly, cousin Karl.

Dear Karl.

Those boys,

I'm never quite certain

they've gone to bed

until I make sure.

Will you forgive me, Albert?

By all means, cousin Beatrix.

Here in the country,

I suppose the family

retires early.

Yes, they do.

But when you're

out of the country,

later?

We're seldom out of the country.

You're seldom

out of the country.

Very seldom.

May I offer you some wine?

Thank you.

I don't drink it.

Neither do I...

At least, not

just after breakfast.

The guard of honor

at the station

was provided by

the 45th regiment.

The regiment served

with great distinction

at Solferino.

Did you know that?

Yes.

The carriage

you drove in has a very

interesting history.

It was used by your

great uncle Frederick

the day he was shot at.

Did you find it comfortable?

Thank you. Yes.

You're occupying

the blue suite,

I believe.

Yes. It is blue.

A few days ago, I was in Lisbon,

a beautiful city.

Over 350,000 inhabitants,

and the river Tagus

runs through

the middle.

Have you ever been there?

No.

No. Of course.

Seldom out

of the country.

I should have remembered.

It's a beautiful evening.

Yes, it is.

Do you suppose

it's chilly outside

on the terrace?

Oh, not more so than here...

At this time of year.

It might even be warmer.

Shall we try?

Full moon...

And a great many stars.

It's hard to believe

that some of them

are even larger than the sun,

that they look like that

only because of the distance.

Remarkable.

I was looking at one

through the telescope

the other night.

It was called Vega.

You know their names?

Only a few.

I was never introduced.

It isn't a great deal

warmer, is it?

Would you prefer to go in again?

This air of yours

is like a sleeping draft.

If I'm not careful,

I shall sleep

the whole 4 days.

What would you like to do?

Well...

When in Rome,

I think one should do

as the Romans do, eh?

With your permission,

I shall give myself

permission to retire.

Poor child.

She was very upset

for the moment,

but I told her,

"one skirmish lost?

That's nothing."

She'll win the next.

There. That makes

a 14-hour day

and every minute

of it arranged for.

What time does it start?

10:
00, and out of that,

Alexandra will be with him

for 13 hours and 15 minutes.

Judging by

yesterday, you're

a little optimistic.

Don't judge by yesterday.

He's not going to sleep

all day today.

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