FullReads

KRISTIN.
Is it possible? Is it possible?

JEAN
[After reflecting].

Yes, it is.

KRISTIN.
Ugh! That I would never have believed. For shame, for shame!

JEAN.
You are not jealous of her?

KRISTIN.
No, not of her. But if it had been Clara or Sophie–then I would have scratched your eyes out. So that is what has happened–how I can’t understand! No, that wasn’t very nice!

JEAN.
Are you mad at her?

KRISTIN.
No, but with you. That was bad of you, very bad. Poor girl. Do you know what–I don’t want to be here in this house any longer where one cannot respect one’s betters.

JEAN.
Why should one respect them?

KRISTIN.
Yes, you can say that, you are so smart. But I don’t want to serve people who behave so. It reflects on oneself, I think.

JEAN.
Yes, but it’s a comfort that they’re not a bit better than we.

KRISTIN.
No, I don’t, think so, for if they are not better there’s no use in our trying to better ourselves in this world. And to think of the Count! Think of him who has had so much sorrow all his days? No, I don’t want to stay in this house any longer! And to think of it being with such as you! If it had been the Lieutenant–

JEAN.
What’s that?

KRISTIN.
Yes! He was good enough, to be sure, but there’s a difference between people just the same. No, this I can never forget. Miss Julie who was always so proud and indifferent to men! One never would believe that she would give herself–and to one like you! She who was ready to have Diana shot because she would run after the gatekeeper’s mongrels. Yes, I say it–and here I won’t stay any longer and on the twenty-fourth of October I go my way.

JEAN.
And then?

KRISTIN.
Well, as we’ve come to talk about it, it’s high time you looked around for something else, since we’re going to get married.

JEAN.
Well, what’ll I look for? A married man couldn’t get a place like this.

KRISTIN.
No, of course not. But you could take a gatekeeper’s job or look for it watchman’s place in some factory. The government’s plums are few, but they are sure. And then the wife and children get a pension–

JEAN
[With a grimace].
That’s all very fine–all that, but it’s not exactly in my line to think about dying for my wife and children just now. I must confess that I have slightly different aspirations.

KRISTIN.
Aspirations? Aspirations–anyway you have obligations. Think of those, you.

JEAN.
Don’t irritate me with talk about my obligations. I know my own business.

[He listens.]
We’ll have plenty of time for all this some other day. Go and get ready and we’ll be off to church.

KRISTIN
[Listening].

Who’s that walking upstairs?

JEAN.
I don’t know–unless it’s Clara.

KRISTIN
[Starting to go].

It could never be the Count who has come home without anyone hearing him?

JEAN
[Frightened].

The Count! I can’t believe that. He would have rung the bell.

KRISTIN.
God help us! Never have I been mixed up in anything like this!

[Exit Kristin. The sun has risen and lights up the scene. Presently the sunshine comes in through windows at an angle. Jean goes to door and motions. Enter Julie, dressed for travelling, carrying a small bird cage covered with a cloth, which she places on a chair.]