FullReads

KRISTIN.
Listen now. Does Miss Julie believe in all this?

[Julie going to pieces.]

JULIE.
Do I believe in it?

KRISTIN.
Yes.

JULIE
[Tired].

I don’t know. I don’t believe in anything any more. [Sinks down on bench, and takes head in her hand on table.] In nothing–nothing!

KRISTIN
[Turns to R. and looks toward Jean].

So–you intended to run away?

JEAN
[Rather shamefaced comes forward and puts razor on table].

Run away? That’s putting it rather strong. You heard Miss Julie’s project, I think it might be carried out.

KRISTIN.
Now listen to that! Was it meant that I should be her cook–

JEAN
[Sharply].

Be so good as to use proper language when you speak of your mistress.

KRISTIN.
Mistress?

JEAN.
Yes.

KRISTIN.
No–hear! Listen to him!

JEAN.
Yes, you listen–you need to, and talk less. Miss Julie is your mistress and for the same reason that you do not respect her now you should not respect yourself.

KRISTIN.
I have always had so much respect for myself–

JEAN.
That you never had any left for others!

KRISTIN.
I have never lowered my position. Let any one say, if they can, that the Count’s cook has had anything to do with the riding master or the swineherd. Let them come and say it!

JEAN.
Yes, you happened to get a fine fellow. That was your good luck.

KRISTIN.
Yes, a fine fellow–who sells the Count’s oats from his stable.

JEAN.
Is it for you to say anything–you who get a commission on all the groceries and a bribe from the butcher?

KRISTIN.
What’s that?

JEAN
. And you can’t have respect for your master and mistress any longer–you, you!

KRISTIN
[Glad to change the subject]. Are you coming to church with me? You need a good sermon for your actions.

JEAN.
No, I’m not going to church today. You can go alone–and confess your doings.

KRISTIN.
Yes, that I shall do, and I shall return with so much forgiveness that there will be enough for you too. The Savior suffered and died on the cross for all our sins, and when we go to Him in faith and a repentant spirit he takes our sins on Himself.

JULIE.
Do you believe that, Kristin?

KRISTIN.
That is my life’s belief, as true as I stand here. And that was my childhood’s belief that I have kept since my youth, Miss Julie. And where sin overflows, there mercy overflows also.

JULIE.
Oh, if I only had your faith. Oh, if–

KRISTIN.
Yes, but you see that is not given without God’s particular grace, and that is not allotted to all, that!

JULIE.
Who are the chosen?

KRISTIN.
That is the great secret of the Kingdom of Grace, and the Lord has no respect for persons. But there the last shall be first.

JULIE.
But then has he respect for the last–the lowliest person?

KRISTIN
[Continuing].

It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. That’s the way it is, Miss Julie. However–now I am going–alone. And on any way I shall stop in and tell the stable boy not to let any horses go out in case any one wants to get away before the Count comes home. Good bye.