(At the table, polishing a glass) There (Holding it up to the light) I think things look a bit cleaner than they did! Now that's done I think I'll fetch the stockings and get on with the mending before the Seven Dwarfs come home, (She fetches a large basket of stockings and sits down to mend them) Hallo! There they are. Nonsense, it's much too early for them to be back. (She listens) But I do certainly hear footsteps. (A knock at the door) Come in! Oh, I forgot! I mustn't open the door. I’ll open the window. (She opens the window) What do you want, my good woman?

(Outside) It's what do you want, my pretty young lady? I've got ribbons and laces, and beads and combs, and pins and needles. All fit for a queen or a pretty little lady like yourself.

Oh, how sweet! What a lovely necklace! I wish I could see it a little better.

Why don't you come out and look at it, my pretty little lady?

I can’t. The dwarfs say I'm not to go outside the house, for fear my wicked stepmother might send someone to carry me off and kill me.

Why not let me bring my basket inside then, my dear? That would be safe enough, wouldn't it?

Yes, yes. (She opens the door) Come in! (Enter the QUEEN disguised as an old woman) There now. I’ll lock the door again. Now no one can creep in to hurt me without my seeing them. Oh! What beautiful things you’ve got. Let me look at that necklace. Isn't it charming?

Let me fasten it round your pretty white throat, my dear! (She puts the necklace on SNOW-WHITE) That suits you down to the ground. (She holds a hand-glass for her) Doesn't it look nice?

Yes, it looks beautiful - but it's too tight! It feels as if it would strangle me. The points of the beads prick my neck, and they are so cold and queer. (She tries to get it off) I can't undo the clasp. Take it off for me, please.

(Aside) Ah! The poison's beginning to work. (Aloud) It'll be alright in a minute. You won't notice it. It only feels tight at first. Just let me comb your hair with this comb, my dear! Isn't that soothing?

No, it isn't soothing at all. How sharp the teeth are! They're burning my head like fire! Oh, you hurt I believe the comb is poisoned. You wicked woman. Oh, help me! Help me! I'm dying (She falls back)

(Savagely) Yes, you’re quite right. The comb's poisoned, and the necklace is poisoned too, and you are dying. This time you won't come back to mock me as you did before, Snow-white. Last night when I asked the mirror who was the fairest it said: “Snow-white, who lives with the Seven Dwarfs now is fairer, Lady Queen, than though.” And then I knew the huntsman had lied to me, and not killed you, and I tracked you down to do my work myself. And I’ve done it! You aren't living with the Seven Dwarfs now, Snow-white. (Pause) But hark here come the little men! (Noise of whistling and dirt being knocked off boots outside) I don't want them to find me here. I must fly.