PAGE 6
Countess Julie
by
JULIE.
Here I stand talking about dreams with you. Come now, just out in the park.
[She offers her arm and they start.]
JEAN.
We should sleep on nine midsummer flowers tonight and then our dreams would come true.
[She turns, Jean quickly holds a hand over his eye.]
JULIE.
What is it, something in your eye?
JEAN.
Oh, it is nothing–just a speck. It will be all right in a moment.
JULIE.
It was some dust from my sleeve that brushed against you. Now sit down and let me look for it.
[Pulls him into a chair, looks into his eye.]
Now sit still, perfectly still.
[Uses corner of her handkerchief in his eye. Strikes his hand.]
So–will you mind? I believe you are trembling, strong man that you are.
[Touching his arm.]
And such arms!
JEAN
[Warningly.]
Miss Julie!
JULIE.
Yes, Monsieur Jean!
JEAN.
Attention. Je ne suis qu’un homme!
JULIE.
Will you sit Still! So, now it is gone! Kiss my hand and thank me!
[Jean rises.]
JEAN.
Miss Julie, listen to me. Kristin has gone to bed now–will you listen to me–
JULIE.
Kiss my hand first.
JEAN.
Listen to me–
JULIE.
Kiss my hand first.
JEAN.
Yes, but blame yourself.
JULIE.
For what?
JEAN.
For what? Are you a child at twenty-five? Don’t you know that it is dangerous to play with fire?
JULIE.
Not for me. I am insured!
JEAN.
No, you are not. But even if you are, there is inflammable material in the neighborhood.
JULIE.
Might that be you?
JEAN.
Yes, not because it is I, but because I’m a young man–
JULIE
[Scornfully].
With a grand opportunity–what inconceivable presumption! A Don Juan perhaps! Or a Joseph! On my soul, I believe he is a Joseph!
JEAN.
You do?
JULIE.
Almost.
[Jean rushes towards her and tries to take her in his arms to kiss her.]
JULIE
[Gives him a box on the ear].
Shame on you.
JEAN.
Are you in earnest, or fooling?
JULIE.
In earnest.
JEAN.
Then you were in earnest a moment ago, too. You play too seriously with what is dangerous. Now I’m tired of playing and beg to be excused that I may go on with my work. The Count must have his boots in time, and it is long past midnight. [Jean picks up boots.]
JULIE.
Put those boots away.
JEAN.
No, that is my work which it is my duty to do, but I was not hired to be your play thing and that I shall never be. I think too well of myself for that.
JULIE.
You are proud.
JEAN.
In some things–not in others.
JULIE.
Were you ever in love?
JEAN.
We do not use that word, but I have liked many girls. One time I was sick because I couldn’t have the one I wanted–sick, you understand, like the princesses in the Arabian Nights who could not eat nor drink for love sickness.
JULIE.
Who was she? [Jean is silent.] Who was she?
JEAN.
That you could not make me tell.
JULIE.
Not if I ask you as an equal, as a–friend? Who was she?