Chapter III: Act TWO

[_The COUNT’S workroom in a little outbuilding devoted to the
business of the estate. A wide glass door back center, with a
window on either side of it, looks on a terrace and a quaint
old garden beyond. At the right and left are doors to other
offices._

_Up right stands the COUNT’S huge desk and in front of it, to
the right, a small table on which is a typewriting machine. Up
left is a long table covered with a litter of papers, books and
pamphlets. Down left, against the wall, stands a little sofa._

_It is a bright summer morning. The COUNT sits at his desk.
DOMOKOS, an elderly clerk, is making a report to him._]

DOMOKOS—And about that fellow, Mate. He’s the most useless man about the place. An absolute disgrace to the dairy.

COUNT—And the favorite of Mr. Juhasz.

DOMOKOS—Yes, excellency. I’d have discharged Mate long ago, but Mr. Juhasz won’t let me. He’s sorry for the man.

COUNT—Sorry for him!

DOMOKOS—Mate has such a glib tongue he always manages to get around Mr. Juhasz somehow. But this time ... he hadn’t turned up for three days. This morning he reported for work again, looking very seedy. But this time we’ve caught him right. I found this letter ... [_exhibits the letter_] which proves beyond a doubt that Mate is the paid spy of our competitor, Baron Goldberger.

COUNT—Goldberger!

DOMOKOS—Yes, of Baron Goldberger.

COUNT—Not _Baron_ Goldberger....

DOMOKOS—Pardon me ... no. Of Goldberger. And, if Mr. Juhasz doesn’t discharge him now....

COUNT—I’ll see to it. Where is this Mate? [_He rings._]

DOMOKOS—I told him to wait out there in the little office. [_Points to the left._]

COUNT—Give me that letter. [_DOMOKOS gives it to him. SANTHA, an old man, half clerk, half servant, enters at left; waits at the door._] Send Mate in.

SANTHA—Yes, your excellency.

COUNT—Then ask Miss Paula to step in.

SANTHA—Yes, your excellency. [_Exits at left._]

DOMOKOS—Mr. Juhasz is spoiling all the men with that benevolence of his. [_MATE enters at left. He is young; wears a white linen jacket which is soiled and torn. Behind him SANTHA enters and crosses to right, where he exits._]

COUNT—I am told you have been neglecting your work and going off on a spree for days at a time.

MATE—I was home ... sick, excellency. And Mr. Juhasz....

DOMOKOS—You were seen in a beer garden in Budapest three different times.

COUNT—That will do, Mate. Wait out there until you are sent for. Mr. Juhasz will attend to you.

MATE—Excellency, I give you my word—— [_SANTHA is seen crossing the garden from right to left._]

COUNT—That will do, Mate. [_MATE exits at left. The COUNT rises._] Thank you, Domokos. Let me have the rest of your report this afternoon.... I am busy now. Leave that letter here. [_Rings._] Where is Juhasz?

DOMOKOS—I saw him down near the hothouses. I think he’s feeding the pigeons.

COUNT—Naturally.

DOMOKOS—Yes, sir. [_He exits at left as PAULA enters at right._]

PAULA—Good morning!

COUNT—Good morning, sunbeam. Quick, quick. We can talk now. Your duenna is away ... feeding the pigeons.

PAULA—Your excellency is always saying unkind things about Mr. Juhasz. [_She sits at the typewriting machine._]

COUNT—And yet I love him as I would my own son. [_Kisses PAULA’S hand._]

PAULA—I must pretend to be working. If he comes in and finds me just talking to you, he’ll be unhappy again.

COUNT—No fear of that now.... He is a long way from here.

PAULA—As if that mattered! He divines the fact that we are together. And he can find me with his eyes shut. [_Taps once or twice on the machine._] Please don’t let him catch us like this.

COUNT—This is intolerable, Paula. It can’t go on. One of the reasons I sent for you was to tell you that I mean to get rid of Juhasz to-day.

PAULA—[_Sorrowfully._] Your excellency....

COUNT—There is a dairyman named Mate, a wholly untrustworthy fellow, whom he won’t dismiss. That gives me a perfect excuse, and I intend to make use of it. For I can’t let this sort of thing go on indefinitely. He’s always on your heels like a watch-dog, and I’m sick of it.... It isn’t enough that he’s practically useless around the place ... but he demoralizes everything with that benevolence of his ... my dignity ... even my cheese.... And to crown it all he makes me play the comedian in my own house. In order to be alone with you I must give you dictation. And in order to give you dictation I must make political speeches.... And I detest political speeches....

PAULA—[_Listening._] Wasn’t that the door? He’s just come in the anteroom. Dictate to me! Hurry!

COUNT—It’s enough to drive a man to despair. [_Loudly, as PAULA types._] “If the Minister of Agriculture supposes ... that the farmers of the country will tolerate ... such a thing, he is gravely mistaken.” I’ll discharge him. I’ll discharge him this very day.... No.... Don’t write that ... I don’t mean the minister.

PAULA—[_As she writes._] Don’t be unkind to him.... He’s such a dear, gentle soul.

COUNT—[_Loudly._] The tiller of the soil asks little of his Government....

PAULA—[_As she writes._] It’s sheer gratitude that makes him guard me so faithfully, gratitude to me for having come here with him.

COUNT—I’ve put up with his gratitude until I’m weary of it. It’s four months since you came here. Do you realize it? Four months you have tormented me ... on his account. Four months you have been postponing my happiness from day to day ... on his account.

PAULA—You must be patient a little longer. He’ll go of his own accord ... as soon as he gets his fifty-one thousand kronen from Berlin. Meantime, I can’t let you be unkind to him ... no ... not on my account.

COUNT—He’ll never get the money. And I can’t wait. I am fifty-six, Paula, and desperately in love ... in love, do you hear.... [_Comes nearer to her._] You beautiful ... young ... thing! [_JUHASZ enters at left with a big ledger under his arm._]

JUHASZ—I beg pardon. Shall I check up the live-stock too?

COUNT—[_Crossly._] Yes. [_To PAULA._] “The deplorable policies inaugurated by the Minister of Agriculture....” [_PAULA types._] By the way, Miss, is that detailed statement finished?

PAULA—Your excellency, my eyes have been troubling me ... and ... I have only finished with the summaries. [_Hands him a sheaf of closely written documents._]

COUNT—[_Affecting severity._] You must manage to get more work done, Miss Paula. Please be sure to have the detailed statements ready for me by this evening. [_JUHASZ exits at left._]

PAULA—He heard you as he came in. I’m sure he heard you!... Oh, I’m so sorry!

COUNT—You needn’t be. It doesn’t matter any more. I shan’t let him hinder me any longer. I can’t afford to. I’m too old. The only thing left to do is pay the fifty-one thousand kronen, give him back his shop and be rid of him.

PAULA—He won’t accept it. He’d rather starve.

COUNT—[_With a touch of exasperation._] Curious that your friends never have such scruples, only your enemies.

PAULA—Have you noticed how badly he looks? That’s from worrying about me.

COUNT—It’s from staying up nights, pacing to and fro beneath my window. He has the bad taste to suppose that I would seduce one of my employees in my own house.... But ... sunbeam ... our love deserves a worthier setting ... doesn’t it?... A flight to Paris by the swiftest motor we can find ... and from there southward to the sea ... under the skies of Spain that God only made for people to love under.... [_Comes nearer to her. JUHASZ enters at left._]

JUHASZ—I beg pardon. I only wanted to give Miss Paula these.

COUNT—[_Crossly._] Certainly. Certainly.

JUHASZ—[_Gives PAULA a bundle of closely written pages._] Here are the detailed statements his excellency wants. Mr. Santha was kind enough to get them up last night.

PAULA—He did them for me? [_Looks at the pages; smiles; to the COUNT._] Forty pages, all closely written. Oh, that dear Mr. Santha! I don’t know how to thank him. [_Gives the pages to the COUNT._]

COUNT—[_Looks at them._] Mr. Santha wrote these?

PAULA—Wasn’t it darling of him? Think of it! He must have worked all night, the poor——

COUNT—[_Comparing them with the summaries._] Curious how like these are the ones you wrote yourself.

PAULA—Oh, I may as well confess it, your excellency. I didn’t write those either. Mr. Juhasz did.

COUNT—Oh? Juhasz did?

JUHASZ—It was only three pages ... and Miss Paula’s eyes bothered her.

COUNT—[_With a sheaf of pages in each hand._] So, then, Juhasz wrote these three pages, and Santha wrote these forty?

PAULA—Yes.

COUNT—[_He rings. SANTHA enters._] Wait a moment, Santha. [_To JUHASZ._] There was a light in your room until four this morning. What were you doing up so late?

JUHASZ—I’m not a very successful liar, excellency. I wrote the detailed statements too....

COUNT—Thank you, Santha. You may go. [_He throws the statements on the table. SANTHA exits at left._]

PAULA—I am very grateful to you, Mr. Juhasz.

JUHASZ—Oh, I am glad to have been of service. [_He exits at left._]

COUNT—Tell me ... isn’t this Juhasz in love with you?

PAULA—[_In honest amazement._] How can you say such a thing? It is nothing but his goodness, his exaggerated sense of gratitude. He thinks he owes me his aid and his protection because I followed him here into exile.

COUNT—I’ll exile him for good this time. Wait and see.

PAULA—You won’t be unkind to him ... please ... don’t be.

COUNT—Don’t worry.... I’ll be absolutely just with him. I’ll simply confront him with the case of this fellow Mate whom he can’t bring himself to dismiss. And I’ll say to him, “Now, it’s Mate or you.” And as it is perfectly certain that he will never be able to harden his heart to the point of dismissing anyone, he’ll have no alternative but to go himself. And then ... [_ardently_] my happiness begins ... and yours, Paula ... for you are my last love ... and last love is like the setting sun ... full of fire and gold.... [_He approaches her ardently. JUHASZ enters at left, a big book under his arm._]

JUHASZ—The swine aren’t entered in the books.

COUNT—Oh!... There’s a limit to everything! [_Goes to the door at left, calling angrily._] Mr. Santha! Didn’t I say I was not to be disturbed while dictating? Where is the fellow! [_Exits at left, leaving the door open._]

JUHASZ—[_To PAULA, quickly._] I heard all the dreadful things he said to you. And it’s my fault. I brought you here.

PAULA—But, Mr. Juhasz——

JUHASZ—I brought you here ... and now I don’t know what to do.... I ... I’ll talk to him ... and forbid him to——

PAULA—Please, Mr. Juhasz, don’t do anything of the kind!

JUHASZ—He wants to get rid of me anyhow. I know I’m in his way ... because he wants you.... But don’t worry, my child, I shan’t let him _drive_ me away. [_The COUNT enters at left._]

COUNT—Absolutely demoralized! All of them.

JUHASZ—The swine....

COUNT—Don’t bother me now with your swine. Come back later. [_JUHASZ exits at left._]

COUNT—It gets worse all the time. He used to give us at least a few minutes together, but now he keeps popping in like a—— [_Stops, enraged, for a word._]

PAULA—He heard what you said to me before.

COUNT—Did he say anything to you?

PAULA—He promised to ... watch you closer than ever ... from now on.

COUNT—That’s an insult to you! Why don’t you forbid it?

PAULA—I thought of doing it, but when he looks at you ... with those soft, kind eyes of his——

COUNT—I know. He has eyes like a devoted horse. I can’t endure them either.... But now I’ve had enough. The thing must end to-day. If he comes in once more, you must go out, my dear, and leave me alone with him.

PAULA—He won’t come in again. You made it plain to him that he mustn’t.

COUNT—You don’t know him. He’ll be in the moment he hears what he is listening for. I’m perfectly certain he’s listening. [_Goes toward the door at left._] Watch. [_Loudly._] Paula, I wonder if you know how sweet, how charming, how utterly adorable you are. [_Approaches the door as he speaks._] [_JUHASZ enters quickly, determinedly at left. When he sees the COUNT standing there, smiling sarcastically, he stops short in the doorway, abashed._]

JUHASZ—May I talk to you about the swine now?

COUNT—Come in. [_To PAULA, sternly._] Make a copy of what I have dictated, Miss Paula.

PAULA—Yes, sir. [_Rises, gathers up her papers._]

COUNT—[_Sternly._] A clean and correct copy.

PAULA—Yes, your excellency. [_She exits at right._]

JUHASZ—The swine, your excellency——

COUNT—Never mind that, Juhasz.... There is something else I want to talk with you about.... There are many complaints against you. Very many!

JUHASZ—I know your excellency isn’t satisfied with me.

COUNT—But my pigeons are satisfied, eh?

JUHASZ—Is that what you are displeased about, sir?

COUNT—You feed them too much. They are so fat they won’t fly any more. And when I ask for a pigeon for my luncheon I am informed that Mr. Juhasz won’t permit one to be killed.

JUHASZ—I’m so sorry for the poor soft little creatures....

COUNT—And aren’t you sorry for the poor soft little ox?

JUHASZ—I don’t know him personally, sir.

COUNT—Humph!

JUHASZ—It doesn’t seem right to me ... to eat your personal acquaintances.

COUNT—[_Significantly._] It does to me.

JUHASZ—If that’s the only complaint....

COUNT—It isn’t. There are many more. You and I will have to part company, Juhasz. I can’t keep you here any longer.... Now every time I broach the subject ... you look at me like that.

JUHASZ—[_Averts his eyes._] I’m sorry, sir.

COUNT—[_Irritably._] I once had a horse named Trafalgar. He was just like you.

JUHASZ—Like me?

COUNT—He broke his leg ... and I couldn’t have him shot because he used to look at me ... exactly as you do. [_In spite of himself, JUHASZ looks at him._] Don’t look at me like that! I forbid it!

JUHASZ—[_Looking away._] Yes, your excellency.

COUNT—[_Consults a memorandum._] Here is a long list of your offenses. First, there’s that potter, Mano Steiner, who owes us eight thousand kronen. You granted him an extension of one year. What for?

JUHASZ—Pots, your excellency.

COUNT—I know that.

JUHASZ—And the poor fellow has had so much trouble of late.

COUNT—Trouble?

JUHASZ—Business trouble.

COUNT—You have no right to be charitable at my expense.

JUHASZ—Wasn’t there some other complaint, too, sir?

COUNT—Yes, lots of them. [_Consults the memorandum._] You owe three hundred and thirty kronen to the all-night café.

JUHASZ—Not for myself, excellency.

COUNT—I know. You assumed that fellow Mate’s debts. And now that he has credit again he has resumed his drinking.

JUHASZ—Oh, your excellency, he didn’t owe the three hundred and thirty kronen for drinks.

COUNT—For what, then?

JUHASZ—For hard-boiled eggs.

COUNT—Is that what he told you? Let me see. That would make 640 hard-boiled eggs in a single month. Or twenty-one a day.

JUHASZ—Yes, the poor fellow has to eat twenty-two every day. The doctor has put him on an egg diet.... But that bill at the café is paid.

COUNT—Juhasz, Juhasz, it’s sinful the way you let people rob you. I suppose you haven’t a heller to your name.

JUHASZ—Well, just at present——

COUNT—I thought so.

JUHASZ—What is next on the list, your excellency?

COUNT—The next is very serious. It concerns your protégé, Mate. We have discovered that he is Goldberger’s spy.

JUHASZ—I don’t believe it, sir.

COUNT—[_Picks up a letter._] Perhaps this letter, written in his own hand, may convince you. It is written to Goldberger, acknowledging the receipt of two hundred kronen in payment for a full list of our customers.... There is no possible doubt about it now.... The foreman wanted the man discharged a month ago, but you refused to permit it.

JUHASZ—But I didn’t know he had done this, your excellency.

COUNT—Well, you know it now. And I trust you have no further doubt that the man must be dismissed.

JUHASZ—Well ... if he has done this ... then ... I think the foreman ought to dismiss him.

COUNT—The foreman ought? Oh, no, Juhasz! You’ll dismiss him yourself.

JUHASZ—[_Aghast._] I?

COUNT—It’s your last chance. Here is the letter. [_Gives it to him._] Mate is waiting out there. You will tell him he is dismissed. [_Rings._] I’ll be back in five minutes. If Mate is dismissed I’ll be willing to believe that there is some hope you may mend your ways. If he’s not dismissed, then, my son, you and I part company. [_SANTHA enters._] Send Mate in here. [_SANTHA exits at left._] Five minutes!

JUHASZ—Excellency, may I ask one favor?

COUNT—Well?

JUHASZ—Make it ... ten minutes. It’s not so easy for me.

COUNT—Very good. Ten minutes. [_Takes out his watch._] What time have you got?

JUHASZ—[_Takes out his watch._] Ten-thirty.

COUNT—At ten-forty Mate is dismissed or you leave this place to-day. [_He exits at back. Left alone, JUHASZ scratches his head ruefully. PAULA enters at right._]

JUHASZ—For goodness’ sake, Paula ... don’t come in now ... every moment is precious.... [_Pushes her gently toward the door at right._]

PAULA—What’s the matter?

JUHASZ—I’ve no time to lose now.... I’ve got to hurt someone ... very much ... in order to be able to stay near you ... and protect you. Don’t ask me. [_Pushes her toward the door._]

PAULA—What has happened? [_MATE enters at right._]

JUHASZ—The Count thinks he knows me. But this time I’ll show him he’s wrong. Give me your hand. Give me strength. [_Clasps her hand._] Go now, Paula, and rely on me.... You shall see how strong I can be. In ten minutes it will be over. [_PAULA exits at right. JUHASZ closes the door behind her, pauses a moment to collect his courage, then, without turning to face MATE, bellows at him._] So there you are!

MATE—I’ve got regards for you, boss, from Budapest. I was in your shop.

JUHASZ—Never mind that now.

MATE—I bought a necktie there. [_Shows his cravat._] Maybe you recognize it. The people all sent their regards.

JUHASZ—Never mind that now, please.... [_Fingers the cravat._] Thanks, but we have something else to discuss just now.

MATE—[_Genially._] They told me business was fine.... And they are all expecting you back soon.

JUHASZ—Now, Mate, please don’t keep interrupting. I’ve something very serious—— [_Flourishes the letter._] You have caused me a great deal of trouble, Mate.

MATE—[_Smoothly._] Oh, don’t say that, boss! I’d rather be dead than cause you any trouble.

JUHASZ—[_Distressed._] Now don’t talk like that——

MATE—But, if——

JUHASZ—[_With determination._] Be still now. And let me talk.

MATE—[_With an injured expression._] All right.

JUHASZ—[_Relenting._] Or ... what were you going to say?

MATE—[_Aggrieved._] Oh, nothing.

JUHASZ—I didn’t mean to be rude. I am a bit excited, you see. [_Flourishes the letter._] This letter was just handed to me. [_Looks at it._] You took ... two hundred kronen ... from Baron Goldberger. [_Shows it to him._] Is this your handwriting?

MATE—If you say it is——

JUHASZ—Mate, don’t make it harder for me. It’s painful enough as it is. And I have so little time.... Is this your handwriting?

MATE—Well, yes.

JUHASZ—There, you see! [_A brief pause. He looks at his watch._]

MATE—Well, I know what to expect. Get it over with.

JUHASZ—You are a traitor, Mate. This letter proves it.

MATE—That’s all right. You can discharge me if you want to.

JUHASZ—Why do you make it harder for me, Mate? Do you think I like to do this?... You don’t even say a word in your own defense.

MATE—What’s the use of my saying anything? I know that I’ve got the sack.

JUHASZ—But how could you do such a thing? _Why_ did you do it? _Why?_

MATE—If I told you, you wouldn’t believe me. I’m a liar, I am. Everybody says so.

JUHASZ—Don’t be so pig-headed! Did you ... perhaps ... need the money for something urgent?... You haven’t a family, have you?

MATE—I have a crippled father.

JUHASZ—There! I knew there was something. Why didn’t you say so? Have you no faith in me? [_Fingers MATE’S cravat._] What did they ask you for this necktie?

MATE—Four kronen.

JUHASZ—Why, it only sells for three!

MATE—I only paid two.... There are so many wicked people in the world, Mr. Juhasz. I’d have been a different man if I’d ’a been treated right ... but I wasn’t.... Everybody around here was always down on me.... And now they’ve got me where they want me....

JUHASZ—[_With heat._] Have they? Not yet. Make no mistake about that. [_Pumping up his determination._] So you have a crippled father?

MATE—Yes, my poor father!

JUHASZ—It seems to me I heard you were an orphan.

MATE—They say all kinds of things about me around here. My father lives in Szentes. If you can call it living. [_Working himself up into a passion._] If you must know, I sent the two hundred kronen to him.

JUHASZ—[_Eagerly._] Can you prove that?

MATE—Certainly.

JUHASZ—How?

MATE—By this. [_Shows him a photograph._]

JUHASZ—By this? This is a photograph.

MATE—Of my father. The picture of my poor old father.

JUHASZ—But this is a photograph of the actor, Girardi.

MATE—They resemble each other a lot. Everybody says so.

JUHASZ—[_Thoughtfully._] Hum! And what does this prove?

MATE—That he’s the one ... I sent the dirty money to.

JUHASZ—[_Undeceived._] No, Mate. You are lying to me. [_Returns the photograph to him._] This is unpardonable.... They were perfectly right in what they said about you. [_Looks at his watch._] You are dismissed, Mate ... and now you may go. [_Does not trust himself to look at MATE, but gives him a shove toward the door._]

MATE—[_Kisses the photograph._] Poor father! Who’ll send you money now ... the first of every month?

JUHASZ—[_Greatly distressed._] Please ... stop that ... and go!

MATE—And my poor little girl ... who’ll feed her now?

JUHASZ—You have a child, too?... I don’t want to hear about it.

MATE—I didn’t say anything to you. [_Starts to go._] My poor, sick little girl!

JUHASZ—[_Restrains him; greatly distressed._] Is she ill?

MATE—What do you care?

JUHASZ—How old is she?

MATE—[_Dries his eyes._] Two years old. Her mother is dead. We planted flowers on her grave.

JUHASZ—This is harrowing.... I know you are lying again.... I mustn’t listen to you. [_Looks at his watch._]

MATE—A little blonde baby. With hair like flax.

JUHASZ—Ten-thirty-six. You are dismissed. [_Puts his hands over his ears._]

MATE—She always says to me, “Papa ... Papa send money.”

JUHASZ—I’m not listening to you.... You are lying.... But I can’t hear you.

MATE—My poor innocent angel. Her medicines alone cost me.... Oh, how _can_ a man go straight when he has a crippled father and a sick baby to keep?

JUHASZ—[_Takes his hands from his ears._] I didn’t hear you.... You are dismissed.

MATE—The doctor prescribed sulphur for her ... and milk.

JUHASZ—I’m not listening.

MATE—No.... But I wish I knew how to close my ears when my poor hungry baby cries, “Papa, papa....”

JUHASZ—[_At the end of his endurance._] Liar!... You are dismissed.... [_Reconsiders it, angrily._] You are not dismissed! Oh, how can I tell whether you are lying or not?

MATE—[_Low, reproachfully._] Oh, Mr. Juhasz!

JUHASZ—[_Angrily._] Be still! [_Less angrily._] Sit down. [_Less angrily yet._] Have a cigarette.

MATE—[_Drying his eyes._] I only smoke cigars.

JUHASZ—[_Crossly pushes the humidor toward him._] There! [_MATE takes one._] Not those.... [_Shouts._] Take a Havana. [_MATE sticks several in his pocket._] Stop that crying.... And tell me instead, whether you are lying to me or not.

MATE—[_Snivelling._] When all a man earns is eighty kronen a month....

JUHASZ—I know, I know.

MATE—And has to send forty to his father, and thirty to his sick boy.... [_as JUHASZ makes a gesture of surprise_] I mean girl ... what has he got left? Ten kronen! Can you live on ten kronen a month?

JUHASZ—It’s terrible, I know.... Mate.... [_Scratches his head in bewilderment._] I wish I knew what to do.

MATE—If I had anything left to pawn ... but I haven’t.

JUHASZ—[_Feels involuntarily for his watch chain._] If I had any money myself.... But just at present ... I regret to say....

MATE—[_His eyes fixed on JUHASZ’S chain._] If I had a watch ... or a chain....

JUHASZ—[_Takes out his watch._] What’s the matter with your baby?

MATE—It’s anæmic.

JUHASZ—Poor child! [_Takes his watch off the chain._]

MATE—[_Watching him greedily._] That comes from being undernourished.

JUHASZ—[_Gives him the watch._] What the child needs is plenty of fresh milk.

MATE—[_Regarding the watch in his palm with pretended amazement._] What’s this?

JUHASZ—A gold watch.

MATE—[_Offers to return it._] But, please——

JUHASZ—Stop annoying me! [_Pushes it back._] The pawnbroker will lend you a hundred kronen on it.... Some day, when you have the money, you can redeem it.

MATE—But, Mr. Juhasz——

JUHASZ—Take it. You can’t get anything on the chain. It’s plated.

MATE—[_Pockets the watch. His voice is tearful._] People like you, Mr. Juhasz, give a man faith again.

JUHASZ—Stop your crying.... I’ll speak to his excellency about you. Maybe I can persuade him to keep you on.

MATE—He’s a good-hearted man.... I’d have spoken to him myself only—— [_With a hopeless gesture he indicates his tattered coat._] I couldn’t let him see me in this condition.

JUHASZ—[_Grasps both lapels of his own coat; despairingly._] The man will have the coat off my back!

MATE—[_Takes a protesting stride toward him._] But Mr. Juhasz ... you don’t suppose that I——

JUHASZ—No, no ... but stop talking like that ... or I’ll have to take it off.... Merciful heaven! To think that such poverty exists in our very midst!

MATE—[_Weeping._] You have made a better man of me, Mr. Juhasz.

JUHASZ—There ... there, my boy ... don’t worry ... everything will be all right.... Just rely on me.... I’ll take care of you. [_Puts an arm about him; his voice quavers with tenderness and pity._] Come what may, I’ll help you. [_The COUNT appears in the doorway at back._] We’ll overlook what you have done ... and I’ll see to it that your wages are raised. [_The COUNT enters. Seeing him, JUHASZ lets his arm fall from MATE’S shoulder. There is a pause._]

COUNT—Is this the way you dismiss the man, Mr. Juhasz?

JUHASZ—[_In great embarrassment._] Your excellency....

COUNT—I gave you ten minutes to do it in. What time is it now?

JUHASZ—[_Involuntarily feels for his watch._] The ten minutes ... are up, sir.

COUNT—Where’s your watch?

JUHASZ—My watch?... Er....

COUNT—You had it ten minutes ago. [_To MATE._] Have _you_ got it? [_MATE nods, abashed._] Give it here. [_MATE gives it to him._] Now get out of here. And don’t let me see your face about my place again. [_MATE slinks out at left._] So you forgave him? [_JUHASZ is silent._] And promised to raise his wages? [_JUHASZ is silent._] And gave him the watch you got from me ten years ago?

JUHASZ—Excellency, I couldn’t help it.... I can’t bear to see people suffer.

COUNT—Juhasz, you can’t stay here any longer. I’ll give you six months’ wages in lieu of notice.

JUHASZ—I don’t want to be paid for leaving.... I’ll go just the same....

COUNT—[_Crossly._] I can’t send you away without a kreutzer to your name! What the devil _is_ one to do with you? Anyone else in your place would have been thrown out bodily, but you!... [_Roars at him._] Am I to throw you out because you have the disposition of a saint!

JUHASZ—You needn’t throw me out, sir. I’m going of my own account.

COUNT—[_Angrily._] Hold your tongue! You are too damned good for this world!

JUHASZ—[_Pacifyingly._] You oughtn’t excite yourself, excellency.... There is really no need for it ... and you might bring on a stroke——

COUNT—It’s all very well to be soft-hearted and charitable and forgiving. I’d like to be that way myself. But it’s a luxury I can’t afford.

JUHASZ—I’m no use around here.... I know that, sir——

COUNT—[_Shouts._] Don’t look at me like that! This is unheard of! I come in with the fixed intention of giving you the sack, and here I am—— Unheard of! [_Angrier yet._] Now I’m the Juhasz! [_Roars._] Do you expect me to send you away because you try to help everybody who is in trouble?

JUHASZ—A man like me does more harm around the place than a hundred lazy workmen.... You mustn’t consider me, sir.... I’ll be all right. I’ll go somewhere and wait until my money comes ... from Berlin. Then I’ll have my shop back. [_He raises his eyes to the COUNT, then recollects that it is forbidden._] I beg pardon. [_He turns his back._]

COUNT—Such credulity! Such optimism! [_Goes up to him._] You are the most absurd old baby I ever—— You can look at me now ... you soft-hearted [_JUHASZ looks at him_] old lamb, you.... The only thing to do with you ... is ... hug you. [_Puts an arm affectionately around JUHASZ’S shoulder. PAULA enters at right. Seeing her, the COUNT withdraws his arm. There is a brief pause._] I’m a fine dismisser myself! [_To JUHASZ._] Run along, my son ... go out to your pigeons ... and tell them that the old master can’t eat his personal acquaintances either. [_JUHASZ flashes PAULA a triumphant glance and exits quickly at left._]

PAULA—If I had come in a minute later you’d have been kissing him.

COUNT—Quite likely. It’s no use. I can’t get rid of him.

PAULA—I’ve thought of a way.

COUNT—To get him out of here?

PAULA—Yes, and of his own free will.

COUNT—It isn’t possible.

PAULA—It is. But it will cost a great deal.

COUNT—I’ll pay whatever it costs.

PAULA—Mr. Juhasz can have his shop back by paying fifty-one thousand kronen to the attorney for his creditors.

COUNT—But, my dear, you said yourself that he’d never let me pay it for him.

PAULA—Yes, but he is not to know that you are paying it.

COUNT—Who then——

PAULA—He must be made to believe that the money was sent by the person from whom he’s expecting it. From Oscar Mezei ... in Berlin.

COUNT—I see. Not bad!

PAULA—Very simple. Have your cashier put fifty-one thousand kronen in an envelope and with it a notification that the money comes from a Berlin bank. Can he do that?

COUNT—[_Enthusiastically._] I’ll make him do it. And as soon as Juhasz gets the money——

PAULA—He will hurry with it to the city ... to pay off his creditors ... and take over his shop ... and stay in it.

COUNT—If we hurry, perhaps we can get him off by the noon train. I’ll see the cashier at once. The whole thing shouldn’t take more than ten minutes to fabricate.... You have made me very happy, dear. This clever plan of yours is the first real intimation that you, too, want to be rid of Juhasz.

PAULA—Rid of him! That’s a hideous way to put it.

COUNT—Put it as you like, the fact is there. It is perfectly natural for me to be impatient ... but for you to be is ... charming.

PAULA—It isn’t impatience ... as much as ... uneasiness. When I look at him ... sometimes ... I feel a twinge of doubt. When I see how pathetically he tries to protect me ... from you ... I get a twinge of remorse. It will be different when he has gone.... Yet I shouldn’t want to see him go empty handed.... And neither would I want him ... ever to find out that——

COUNT—Rely on me. The papers shall be forged carefully enough to deceive a bank president. I’ll go to the cashier this minute.... Paula, you have made me very happy. [_He takes her hand and kisses it._] If I were twenty years younger I suppose I would have kissed you on that red, young mouth of yours.

PAULA—Careful! Someone is coming.

COUNT—[_Still holding her hand; is about to kiss her._] No....

PAULA—I heard the outer door.

COUNT—Nonsense! [_As he bends toward her again JUHASZ enters at left._]

JUHASZ—Excellency, some of the pigeons have flown away.

COUNT—[_Does not resent this interruption; very jovially._] No matter, Juhasz, they’ll come back. [_He exits at left. There is a pause._]

JUHASZ—He touched you.... He touched you with his hands.

PAULA—He kissed my hand.

JUHASZ—If I hadn’t come in he would have kissed your cheek. This can’t go on, you poor child, you are in serious danger.

PAULA—Aren’t you exaggerating, Mr. Juhasz?

JUHASZ—Is it possible you don’t understand that he is trying to make you his mistress?

PAULA—It takes two to make that bargain, Mr. Juhasz.

JUHASZ—Two to make it, but only one to repent it.... You don’t seem to realize the game he is playing with you.

PAULA—He has always behaved like a gentleman with me.

JUHASZ—That is the most dangerous part of it. These rich people have such fine manners ... they are like silkworms ... they spin a fine soft thread around a poor girl ... and she never realizes what they are about ... until one day she wakes up and finds herself ... dressed in silk.... But I won’t let that happen to you. And the Count knows it. That is why he is trying to get rid of me.

PAULA—Why, he loves you like a son. Just now he was embracing you.

JUHASZ—But he’ll send me away, sooner or later. I know that. And this is what I want to say to you. Philip telegraphed that he is coming down to see me this afternoon. I’m going back to the city with him. I might as well before I’m driven out. And you are coming with me.

PAULA—I?

JUHASZ—Yes. You can’t stay here any longer. It is too dangerous for you.

PAULA—Dangerous! That’s perfectly absurd.

JUHASZ—Haven’t I seen and heard enough to know? All his advances! All his proposals! Have you ever seen a little bird fluttering helplessly about in a lion’s cage?

PAULA—No.

JUHASZ—Neither have I. But I imagine it must be like you are here.... I am going to take you out of here, my child.

PAULA—That’s awfully good of you, Mr. Juhasz, but——

JUHASZ—Do you _want_ to stay here?

PAULA—I see no reason why I shouldn’t.

JUHASZ—I am the better judge of that. And I shan’t let you stay.

PAULA—I appreciate your motives, Mr. Juhasz. But pardon me if I say you have no right to decide whether I may stay or go.

JUHASZ—No right? Didn’t I bring you here ... into this danger?

PAULA—Perhaps I came ... of my own accord.

JUHASZ—I see. His insidious poison has begun to work on you already. Well, Paula, I won’t have it that way. You have never seen me determined yet.... Perhaps I never was before.... But I am now.... Paula [_with a burst of courage_], I’ll take you with me by force if necessary.

PAULA—I repeat ... you have no right to do that.

JUHASZ—[_At a loss for the moment._] No right ... no right?

PAULA—You are not my father ... or any relation of mine.

JUHASZ—I ... I....

PAULA—I used to work for you ... and I respect you deeply ... but apart from that——

JUHASZ—I love you, Paula.

PAULA—Yes, but——

JUHASZ—You don’t understand, Paula. [_Pauses a moment before he repeats very simply and earnestly._] I love you. [_A pause._] That is why I dared to say such things. [_A pause._]

PAULA—Why, Mr. Juhasz——

JUHASZ—You are surprised.... You thought I kept watch over you quite unselfishly ... like a brother.... Well, so I did ... at first.... I used to pace up and down beneath the Count’s window ... all night long ... without a thought in my mind except to keep you from harm.... Sometimes I was tired and sleepy ... but there I stayed ... under his window ... because it was my duty to protect you ... and then ... gradually ... I began to realize ... that I liked to watch ... that I was never tired or sleepy any more ... my whole attitude had changed ... but I didn’t tell you.... I still pretended to be guarding you ... only because I had your interest at heart ... while all the time it was because I loved you.... And now ... you can send me away, if you like.

PAULA—Mr. Juhasz ... I don’t know ... I really don’t know what to say.

JUHASZ—You never guessed it.

PAULA—I would never have believed it, if you hadn’t——

JUHASZ—I didn’t mean to tell you. But when you said I had no right ... it slipped out.... I might have gone on pretending.... I don’t know.... But now I can ask you again ... to come with me ... if you will ... as my wife. [_A pause._] Won’t you answer me?

PAULA—I have been pretending, too, Mr. Juhasz.

JUHASZ—You?

PAULA—I let you think I came here ... out of loyalty to you. But I didn’t. I came because I wanted to come ... because I am bad and depraved. And that is why I want to stay.... I am sick of poverty, Mr. Juhasz.... I don’t want to go back to work in a dingy little office ... of a dingy little shop.... I am young, Mr. Juhasz, and pretty.... I want to do the things that make living worth while ... meet interesting people ... see beautiful places ... wear fine clothes ... enjoy the leisure and luxury that only rich folks can have.... I have thought about such things ... and longed for them so fiercely ... that it makes me cold and sick ... only to think that I may not have them.... Oh, it’s so difficult to tell you, Mr. Juhasz! My heart is so heavy!

JUHASZ—Do you ... love the count?

PAULA—No.

JUHASZ—Tell me the truth.... You can tell me now.

PAULA—He isn’t a man to me at all. He is only the door that leads into a new life.... He is rich, Mr. Juhasz, rich, rich—— [_Hides her face in shame on his shoulder._]

JUHASZ—[_Half dazed._] Come with me ... and I will be rich, too.... I will work for you, Paula, as no man ever worked before.... There are people who will help me.... I will be ambitious, grasping ... until I have all the money you want....

PAULA—[_Still has her face buried in his shoulder._] And by the time you had made your money I should be too old to want it.

JUHASZ—[_Bitterly._] After all, you are right, Paula. I am absurd. Another man would offer to lay down his life for the woman he loved.... I offer to open an account in a savings bank. [_She raises her head. There is a knock at the door._] Come in. [_Louder._] Come in! [_SANTHA enters at left, carrying an envelope and two receipts._]

SANTHA—Pardon me, Mr. Juhasz, but the cashier sent this in. Will you sign this receipt, please?

JUHASZ—Yes.... I’ll be there in a moment.

SANTHA—You need only——

JUHASZ—Don’t you see I’m busy? Tell the cashier I’ll be there in a moment.

SANTHA—It isn’t necessary. Just take this, and sign. [_Proffers the envelope and the receipts._]

JUHASZ—[_Looks at them._] Isn’t this an error?

SANTHA—It is addressed to you.

JUHASZ—[_Reads._] From the Deutsche Bank, of Berlin ... to the Ungarische Allgemeine Credit-bank ... to the account of Mr. Peter Juhasz ... from Mr. Oscar Mezei, of Berlin.... [_The hand holding the receipt sinks slowly. JUHASZ himself sinks into a chair, then raises the receipt to his eyes again, very slowly, as if his arm were tired._] From Oscar Mezei, Berlin ... fifty-one thousand kronen. [_He looks into the envelope; sees the sheaf of banknotes there._] Didn’t I tell you, Santha? I always said he’d send it. But you all laughed at me.

SANTHA—Will you sign the receipt, please?

JUHASZ—[_Rather dazed._] Certainly. [_He signs._]

SANTHA—[_Takes the signed receipt; leaves the other in JUHASZ’S hand._] You keep this one. It’s the duplicate.

JUHASZ—The duplicate ... yes. Where are you going?

SANTHA—To give this back to the cashier.

JUHASZ—Oh, yes. Thank you, Santha.

SANTHA—Don’t mention it, sir. [_He exits. There is a pause. JUHASZ stands at left. PAULA is at extreme right. He looks at her, still balancing the envelope full of banknotes on his palm._]

PAULA—I congratulate you, Mr. Juhasz. [_He is silent._] Now you can have your shop back, and everything will be all right for you.

JUHASZ—[_Crosses to her._] Yes, Paula, now everything will be all right for me. And for you, too. For now I can give you the things you want ... fine clothes and beautiful places and all the rest.... Take it, Paula.

PAULA—Mr. Juhasz ... your shop, your creditors——

JUHASZ—What do I want the shop for now? Let the creditors sell it out. There will be more than enough to pay them.

PAULA—But that means your livelihood, your entire future!

JUHASZ—I love you, Paula. It is _your_ future I am thinking of. You don’t want to work in a shop ... or be a shopkeeper’s wife ... you want to live in luxury ... well ... here is money. Take it. [_Forces it into her hand._] There! Close your hand.... Spend it ... while it lasts ... and then ... if you still want to go on living that way ... it will be easy to get more money ... too easy for a pretty girl like you.... But if you change your mind, Paula, if you change your mind, you can turn back ... back to this ordinary life.... But if you took the Count’s money, there could be no turning back.... Don’t you see?... For when a girl’s honor is gone ... she can’t turn back.... And you will want to turn back.... I am certain of that.... I know you, Paula.... You will want to turn back.

PAULA—[_Deeply moved._] You would do this for me? You would give me everything you possess ... and ask nothing in return?

JUHASZ—[_Throwing it off, with a whimsical smile._] Everything I possess? So it is. Let the Count do as much for you if he’s such a cavalier. [_PAULA offers him the money, mutely._] No. We are going now ... we shall both make the noon train to Budapest.... You will not stay here with the Count.... I see it in your eyes ... in your tears.... You are saved, little Paula, ... saved from your own folly. [_He has moved very close to her and has one hand on her shoulder when the COUNT enters. JUHASZ drops his hand. There is a pause._]

COUNT—Are you dictating, Juhasz?

JUHASZ—[_Cold, resolute but respectful._] I have had very good news, your excellency. I am leaving on the noon express ... and ... [_looks at PAULA_] Miss Paula will tell you the rest. [_Head high, very sure of himself, he exits at right. There is a pause._]

COUNT—What’s the matter with the man? [_PAULA shows him the money._] I don’t understand.

PAULA—He gave it to me.

COUNT—I said he was in love with you.

PAULA—Here! [_She offers him the money._]

COUNT—Why? What’s this for?

PAULA—It’s your money.

COUNT—No.... It belonged to Juhasz ... and if he gave it to you ... and you accepted it....

PAULA—I didn’t accept it.... I was too overcome to speak. This money means to him his shop, his future, the honor of his name ... and yet he tossed it to me without a moment’s hesitation. I never knew a man could love like that.

COUNT—What are you going to do with it?

PAULA—Give it back to him, of course.

COUNT—I wouldn’t do that.... He’d only try to give it back to you again, or tear it up, or throw it away.... The man’s in love with you, you know. ... I think it were wiser to send the money at once by telegraph to the attorney for his creditors. Then we’ll be sure he will reap the benefit of it. We must give him back his shop ... by force ... if that’s the only way he’ll have it.

PAULA—You are right. You are perfectly right. I’ll give the money to the cashier myself, and have him send it right off.

COUNT—I would.... Have you been crying, Paula?

PAULA—It wasn’t exactly amusing ... to have him offer to make a sacrifice like that ... after all we had done to deceive him. [_JUHASZ enters at right. He is carrying his hat and umbrella._]

JUHASZ—Doubtless your excellency knows everything. [_PAULA exits at left._]

COUNT—No, Juhasz. All I know is that you got some money from Berlin.

JUHASZ—[_Proudly, firmly._] Yes, and thank God it came in time to rescue that poor girl from your dishonorable attentions. She doesn’t need your money now. She has mine, mine that was earned by hard, honest labor.

COUNT—Juhasz!

JUHASZ—I’m sorry to be compelled to speak to you like this, excellency. God knows I am grateful to you for all you have done for me, but I am leaving your house, and Paula is coming with me.

COUNT—She is going with you?

JUHASZ—Yes, your excellency.

COUNT—Do you think it wise to give her all your money?

JUHASZ—It was my own money. I do what I want with it.

COUNT—My dear Juhasz, you are riding a very high horse. I mention it only because the fall is apt to be painful. Have you made sure that lady has accepted your generous gift? [_PAULA enters quietly at left._]

JUHASZ—I don’t know what you mean.

COUNT—Perhaps it would be best to ask her.

JUHASZ—Paula, his excellency ... just said something ... I didn’t understand.

PAULA—I couldn’t take it, Mr. Juhasz.... I couldn’t....

JUHASZ—Couldn’t take it?

PAULA—I have sent the money to Budapest ... by telegraph ... to the attorney for your creditors. [_There is a pause. The COUNT exits at back on tiptoe._] You didn’t give me a chance to speak before.... I appreciate what you tried to do for me ... any woman would ... but I couldn’t let you ruin yourself on my account.

JUHASZ—[_Puts the worst construction on her refusal._] He can give you more.... That’s true enough! [_She does not answer. There is a pause. SANTHA enters at back. Behind him comes PHILIP._]

SANTHA—There he is. [_SANTHA exits._]

PHILIP—Good morning, Mr. Juhasz. Did you get my telegram? [_He bows curtly to PAULA._]

JUHASZ—I got it, Philip. How are you?

PHILIP—I met his excellency in the garden. He said I would find you here. Am I interrupting?

JUHASZ—No, Philip. I was only saying good-bye to Miss Paula.

PAULA—[_Cordially._] Are you still angry with me, Philip?

PHILIP—[_Very earnestly; bows coldly._] Yes, I am. [_To JUHASZ._] I am glad to hear that you are coming to Budapest. That’s what I came for. To ask you to come to town for a day or two.

PAULA—How are things at the shop?

PHILIP—[_Ignoring her._] That’s really what I came for. I hope you don’t mind my saying, Mr. Juhasz ... that business has been wonderful since you went away. The receiver——

JUHASZ—Mr. Geiringer?

PHILIP—Yes.... Mr. Geiringer has been collecting all the old outstanding accounts and keeping a sharp eye on the cash. He sent me down here to see you, Mr. Juhasz. It seems he has fallen in love with the shop, and has been wanting to buy it for himself. And when he found out that Mr. Oscar had gone bankrupt in Berlin, he decided——

JUHASZ—What’s that? What did Mr. Geiringer find out?

PHILIP—That Oscar had gone into bankruptcy ... then he went straight to the lawyer for your creditors.

JUHASZ—[_Excitedly._] Slowly, please. You say that Oscar went bankrupt in Berlin?

PHILIP—Yes. Didn’t you know it?

JUHASZ—[_Looking at PAULA._] No.

PHILIP—I’m sorry to have been the first to tell you ... but everyone in the city knows it.

JUHASZ—You are quite sure?

PHILIP—Well, his wife has been back in Budapest, living with her mother, for the past two weeks.... And I see Oscar every day.

JUHASZ—Are they divorced?

PHILIP—No, but they are so hard up that they have to live at her mother’s house.

JUHASZ—If that’s so, there has been a terrible mistake somewhere. [_He looks again at PAULA; takes out the receipt, crosses to PHILIP._] Read this.

PAULA—I’ll leave you alone. [_She starts for the door._]

JUHASZ—[_Takes her by the hand._] No, Paula, you will stay here, please.

PHILIP—[_Reading the notice._] The Deutsche Bank ... Oscar Mezei ... fifty-one thousand kronen [_in great astonishment._] I can’t understand this at all.... He had so little to show when they put him in bankruptcy that he was lucky not to be sent to prison ... and since then he has been wandering around Budapest in shabby clothes, borrowing a krone from anybody who’d lend him.... Why, I lent him two myself the day before yesterday. [_There is a pause._] Did this money really arrive?

JUHASZ—[_Has not taken his eyes off PAULA._] Yes.

PHILIP—I can’t make that out at all.

PAULA—You had to find out sooner or later, Mr. Juhasz.... The money didn’t come from Oscar Mezei.... It didn’t come from Berlin.

JUHASZ—Where _did_ it come from?

PAULA—His excellency wanted to help you.... He sent you the money ... and had those bank notices written here.

JUHASZ—Written here?

PAULA—Yes.... You see——

JUHASZ—You knew it all the time?

PAULA—I was happy to see you get your shop back, and——

JUHASZ—You knew it was all a pretext to get rid of me? You knew it wasn’t my money?

PAULA—Yes, I knew it, Mr. Juhasz.

JUHASZ—And while I was saying those boastful things to you ... and making sacrifices for you ... with another man’s money ... you were inwardly laughing at me all the time.

PAULA—I cried, Mr. Juhasz.

JUHASZ—It wasn’t necessary to cry or to laugh, or to take all these secret precautions to get rid of me. You need only have told me the truth. [_On the terrace at back a servant girl appears. She is carrying JUHASZ’S overcoat and bag. He sees her and turns to PHILIP._] Come, Philip. [_His voice is low and trembling with sorrow and humiliation._] Let us go. [_They start up toward the door._]

PAULA—Mr. Juhasz ... won’t you forgive me ... and shake hands ... before you go?

JUHASZ—[_Going; does not look at her._] Good-bye, Miss Paula.

PAULA—Have you forgotten all you said to me? You are leaving me alone ... alone with him. [_JUHASZ stops, turns to her slowly. Seeing this, she gathers courage._] You are leaving me like this because your pride is hurt. You don’t care any more ... what becomes of me.

JUHASZ—[_Opens his mouth, closes it again, wavers, then suddenly roars at PHILIP, who has been looking on in blank amazement._] Why do you stand there like a blockhead? Why don’t you take me away from here? Can’t you see I am about to stay? [_PHILIP takes his arm and leads him out at back: There is a pause. PAULA watches them go, then she crosses slowly to the COUNT’S desk. In the garden, coming from the right, the COUNT appears. He stands in the doorway a moment, looking off left, apparently watching JUHASZ and PHILIP depart._]

COUNT—Can I believe my eyes? Is that really Juhasz going toward the station? [_She does not reply. He comes in. On the threshold he glances again off left._] If they hurry they can still catch the 12.05. It just pulled in the station. [_Looks off left once more; comes down._] Well, sunbeam! [_PAULA looks at him sorrowfully then lowers her eyes._] We are alone.

PAULA—Alone.

COUNT—It is hard to realize he is really gone. I shall go on expecting him to pop in that door any moment, or appear at the window, or crawl from under the table.... It doesn’t seem possible that I’m free of him at last ... that we are free.

PAULA—[_Sadly._] Free.

COUNT—But it’s true, little sunbeam, it’s true! No more dictation. No more political speeches. No more interruptions.... Now all that remains to be done is have the car overhauled ... telegraph to Vienna, Salzburg, Paris ... for the best rooms in the best hotels ... for the most exquisite frocks ... for the most magnificent cabin on the swiftest boat to the most beautiful seaport in Spain.... [_Comes toward her ardently. The whistle of the departing train is heard. PAULA jumps up as if someone had called her, and makes an involuntary movement toward the door at back._] His train. [_Angrily._] Is he to hinder me even now? It was just as if he had called back to us. [_PAULA goes toward the door at right._] Why, Paula! Where are you going?

PAULA—[_Stops at the typewriting machine._] To my work.... Unless your excellency wishes to give me dictation.

COUNT—Dictation? Are you serious?

PAULA—Yes.

COUNT—But why?... Did anything happen ... between you and Juhasz?

PAULA—[_Softly._] Nothing happened. [_Starts to go._]

COUNT—[_In polite resignation._] No ... no ... wait ... I’ll dictate, if I must. [_She sits at the machine. He repeats mechanically, distrustfully._] I’ll dictate, if I must. [_Eyes her narrowly._]

PAULA—We stopped at “The deplorable policies inaugurated by the Minister of Agriculture——”

COUNT—Deplorable policy ... yes. Well ... if I must ... go ahead ... [_Sighs._] “The very deplorable policy ...”

PAULA—[_Writing._] Policy.

COUNT—“Inaugurated by the Minister ... leaves the farmer bewildered and quite helpless.”

PAULA—[_As she writes, bows her head lower over the machine._] Helpless.

COUNT—“Now the farmer is devoted to the minister ...” [_His quick expressive glance meets her eye as she looks up._] “... but the minister does not love the farmer.”

PAULA—[_Writing._] Farmer.

COUNT—“And can the farmer be blamed for feeling abandoned and betrayed?”

PAULA—And betrayed.

COUNT—“But I, for one, know that his excellency, the minister of agriculture ... belongs to the old school of honor ... to those who will not abuse——”

PAULA—Abuse.

COUNT—“The faith that was placed in them.”

PAULA—The faith ... [_Stops writing suddenly._]

COUNT—“The farmer does not ask for sympathy. He wishes no allegiance that is not conscientiously felt. Yet he hopes, yet he believes he still can win the minister to——”

PAULA—[_Sorrowfully._] He mustn’t believe that, your excellency.

COUNT—Go on writing, Paula, that belongs in the speech.... And you may add that I too think that it is a forlorn hope, a mistaken belief, which the farmer must teach himself to renounce. [_PAULA bends over the machine, puts her hand over her eyes._] What is it, my child? Don’t you feel well?

PAULA—[_Rises._] I beg pardon, your excellency.... I have had the strangest feeling ... since ... since he went away from here.... I don’t know how to describe it.... I don’t know what it is. [_Her voice is restrained, embarrassed._] But I really believe ... [_bursts out angrily_] I’ve fallen in love with this Juhasz. [_She hurries out at right. The COUNT stares after her a moment thoughtfully, lights a cigarette, and as he flicks the ashes from it,_

THE CURTAIN FALLS

ACT THREE