FullReads

JULIE.
Make believe you are he–and I you. You could act so well a little while ago when you knelt at my feet. Then you were a nobleman–or haven’t you ever been at the theatre and seen the hypnotist–[Jean nods] He says to his subject “Take the broom,” and he takes it; he says, “Sweep,” and he sweeps.

JEAN.
Then the subject must be asleep!

JULIE
[Ecstatically].

I sleep already. The whole room is like smoke before me–and you are like a tall black stove, like a man clad in black clothes with a high hat; and your eyes gleam like the hot coals when the fire is dying; and your face a white spot like fallen ashes. [The sunshine is coming in through the windows and falls on Jean. Julie rubs her hands as though warming them before a fire]. It is so warm and good–and so bright and quiet!

JEAN
[Takes razor and puts it in her hand].

There is the broom, go now while it’s bright–out to the hay loft–and–[He whispers in her ear.]

JULIE
[Rousing herself].

Thanks. And now I go to rest. But tell me this–the foremost may receive the gift of Grace? Say it, even if you don’t believe it.

JEAN.
The foremost? No, I can’t say that. But wait, Miss Julie–you are no longer among the foremost since you are of the lowliest.

JULIE.
That’s true, I am the lowliest–the lowliest of the lowly. Oh, now I can’t go. Tell me once more that I must go.

JEAN.
No, now I cannot either–I cannot.

JULIE.
And the first shall be last– — —

JEAN.
Don’t think. You take my strength from me, too, so that I become cowardly.–What– –I thought I heard the bell!– — No! To be afraid of the sound of is bell! But it’s not the bell–it’s someone behind the bell, the hand that sets the lull in motion–and something else that sets the land in motion. But stop your cars, stop your ears. Then he will only ring louder and keep on ringing until it’s answered–and then it is too late! Then come the police and then–[Two loud rings on bell are heard, Jean falls in a heap for a moment, but straightens up immediately.] It is horrible! But there is no other way. Go!

[Countess Julie goes out resolutely.]

CURTAIN.