The Swan Page #4

If he wasted all last night,

I didn't.

They should have played

the national anthem.

Then he would have to get up.

His father once

slept through

a 41-gun salute.

Andrew, how could you?

Yes?

His royal highness

has rung for a tray.

I wonder mother isn't

conducting it herself.

That's enough for music,

your highnesses.

Time for algebra.

If the band doesn't

get him out of bed

to see Alexandra,

mother's going to use a gun.

Cousin Albert's

not afraid of guns.

He's only afraid of Alexandra.

All right.

That's enough.

He's going

to stay in bed

all day every day

till it's time to go home.

Unless she goes up

and pulls him out--

silence, both of you.

You forget your manners,

and you forget that

his royal highness is

not only the crown prince,

he is a guest of this house.

You should have more respect.

And this one--

don't tell me.

Never tell me.

His majesty

king Henry

of transdenubeer.

My dear Henry's grandfather.

No question of it.

King Henry I,

I believe.

And the last.

For the time being.

His son, a very retiring man.

Yes, indeed.

He died when

he was barely 30.

And this, of course.

Of course.

Of course.

What do you

think of it, captain?

An excellent likeness

of his late highness

prince Henry, sir.

I think so, too.

Excellent.

My poor dear Henry.

Your father and he

were closer than brothers.

How many hours

they spent here talking,

and always of their children.

They had only

one ambition--

to be grandfathers.

Yes. Grandfathers

of the same children.

Their dearest wish was

that one day the families

would be united.

And who is this?

King Henry's wife--

Queen Elena.

Yes. What was it

they used to call her?

She's the image

of Alexandra,

eh, isn't she?

They called her what?

I can't quite remember.

Yes, you can,

dear--Elena

the iceberg.

Alexandra, dear.

Good morning, cousin Albert.

Did you tell the boys?

Yes, mother.

They're so anxious

to show off

their fencing.

At 11:
15.

I shall be charmed.

It'll take them

a little time

to change.

In the meanwhile,

let's see, now...

The rose garden.

Splendid suggestion.

Alexandra takes

the greatest pride

in her roses.

Your roses?

Yes.

The rose garden is mine.

You planted it yourself?

Well, not exactly,

but I take care of it.

Remarkable. Don't you

prick your fingers?

Yes, quite often.

You should wear gloves.

I do... But my

fingers get pricked

just the same.

Then you should wear

thicker gloves.

I suppose so.

I shall try that.

That's life, n'est-Ce pas?

One must defend oneself.

How charming of you

to take such an interest,

and how right you are.

Oh, well, one's had

a certain amount

of experience.

Now, I know

you're impatient

to see them.

Delightful.

And they're at

their very best today.

Isn't that fortunate?

Yes, captain?

Well, I'm sure

your royal highness

would be most interested,

too, in the dairy.

I saw it yesterday, sir.

The cows are milked by vacuum.

By vacuum?

Like carpets?

The same principle, sir.

Oh, fantastic.

Where is it?

I must certainly see that.

By vacuum.

Did you have it

installed yourself,

cousin Beatrix?

Yes, I did. If I

may say so, Albert,

the dairy is quite a distance.

In that case,

we ought to go

at once.

Whatever you wish.

We'll go to the dairy.

Please. I wouldn't

think of dragging

everyone.

The captain

knows the way.

He'll take me.

You've changed

your mind,

your highness.

The program has been changed.

There'll be time

beforehand for my usual

practice, that's all.

Et la!

Touche. Good.

Et la!

Touche. Good.

Et la!

Touche. Very good.

Wonderful.

Get it now, George!

All right.

I'm getting you

on this one.

Oh, come on.

Over this way.

Oh, no, you won't.

I'll teach you.

Come on. I've got it.

Certainly you haven't.

Oop!

Ooh!

Albert and the family

at this end--

oh, that tutor.

He has no control

over the boys whatsoever.

Nor the ball either.

Karl, stop that.

Do you have to behave

like a child?

Now, stop that.

You'll hit something.

Goal!

Oh, auntie! Really!

Haven't I enough

to contend with?

Aw!

Albert's last day here,

and where is he?

Out again somewhere

with that captain.

The whole of

the first day in bed.

The next, he wouldn't leave

those wretched cows.

I should think

that machine's

quite worn out,

to say nothing of the cows.

All yesterday duck shooting.

Well, at least he's

a splendid shot.

Splendid. We shall

be eating duck for

the rest of our lives.

Yes, captain?

If I might have

the football,

your highness...

Uh, for his royal highness.

And today he has to play ball.

I just can't understand it.

He came to see Alexandra.

There's no doubt of it,

and now that

he's here, it's as if

she didn't even exist.

There's only

the ball tonight,

and then he'll be gone.

It will be our last chance,

the last chance for

our whole family.

Alexandra won't

be young forever.

I... Oh, I know

I shouldn't

talk this way.

Beatrix, you're

usually so calm

and collected.

In time of peace,

yes, but this is war.

Look at him. He's

even fallen in love

with the tutor.

At least he's

a good judge

of character.

Better than you are, my dear.

That tutor is quite impossible,

and Albert's spent

more time with him than

he has with Alexandra.

Perhaps Alexandra

should spend more time

with the tutor.

Then she'd see something

of Albert.

Aunt Symphorosa,

if you can't even

be sensible...

Perhaps you're not

so stupid as you sound.

Why not, dear?

Of course,

it's a dreadfully

overworked plan of attack,

but there it is.

Beggars can't

be choosers.

Beatrix, when you talk

like that, all I can say

is don't do it.

My mind is made up.

Alexandra.

Alexandra,

what are you doing?

You're not well?

I'm quite well,

thank you, mother.

Well, then, what are you doing?

It's enough he's spent

half his time in bed.

You don't have to start.

Suppose he were to ask for you?

He won't ask for me.

Darling, I know

so well how you feel,

but don't be discouraged.

Any little hurt

to your pride

will soon heal.

After all, roses are

more beautiful than cows,

whatever he may think.

Oh, mother.

We've had a few little setbacks,

but tonight

we're going to put

everything right.

Mother, what use is it?

What more can I do?

Get out of bed,

for heaven's sake,

to begin with.

Haven't I been

humiliated enough?

Must it be

in front of all

the guests this time?

Alexandra, you have

my blood in your veins,

and you can't have that

for nothing.

Your whole life,

your whole upbringing,

has been devoted to

just one thing--to make

you fit to be a queen.

A queen can't afford to be shy.

She can never be humiliated.

She's above it and beyond it.

Oh, my darling.

I know you'll do

what has to be done

unflinchingly.

Do what, mother?

My darling, I know it's

a dreadful thing to ask,

so banal,

but believe me, in this

desperate extremity,

your mother knows best,

and you won't hate me

for it, darling.

You must love me

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