FullReads

JULIE.
You tell it well! Were you ever at school?

JEAN.
A little, but I have read a good deal and gone to the theatres. And besides, I have always heard the talk of fine folks and from them I have learned most.

JULIE.
Do you listen then to what we are saying?

JEAN.
Yes, indeed, I do. And I have heard much when I’ve been on the coachbox. One time I heard Miss Julie and a lady–

JULIE.
Oh, what was it you heard?

JEAN.
Hm! that’s not so easy to tell. But I was astonished and could not understand where you had heard such things. Well, perhaps at bottom there’s not so much difference between people and–people.

JULIE.
Oh, shame! We don’t behave as you do when we are engaged.

JEAN.
[Eyeing her].

Are you sure of that? It isn’t worthwhile to play the innocent with me.

JULIE.
I gave my love to a rascal.

JEAN.
That’s what they always say afterward.

JULIE.
Always?

JEAN.
Always, I believe, as I have heard the expression many times before under the same circumstances.

JULIE.
What circumstances?

JEAN.
Those we’ve been talking about. The last time I– —

JULIE.
Silence. I don’t wish to hear any more.

JEAN.
Well, then I beg to be excused so I may go to bed.

JULIE.
Go to bed! On midsummer night?

JEAN.
Yes, for dancing out there with that pack has not amused me.

JULIE.
Then get the key for the boat and row me out over the lake. I want to see the sun rise.

JEAN.
Is that prudent?

JULIE.
One would think that, you were afraid of your reputation.

JEAN.
Why not? I don’t want to be made ridiculous. I am not willing to be driven out without references, now that I am going to settle down. And I feel I owe something to Kristin.

JULIE.
Oh, so it’s Kristin now–

JEAN.
Yes, but you too. Take my advice, go up and go to bed.

JULIE.
Shall I obey you?

JEAN.
For once–for your own sake. I beg of you. Night is crawling along, sleepiness makes one irresponsible and the brain grows hot. Go to your room. In fact–if I hear rightly some of the people are coming for me. If they find us here–then you are lost.

[Chorus is heard approaching, singing.]

“There came two ladies out of the woods
Tridiridi-ralla tridiridi-ra.
One of them had wet her foot,
Tridiridi-ralla-la.

“They talked of a hundred dollars,
Tridiridi-ralla tridiridi-ra.
But neither had hardly a dollar,
Tridiridi-ralla-la.

“The mitten I’m going to send you,
Tridirichi-ralla tridiridi-ra.
For another I’m going to jilt you,
Tridiridi-ralla tridiridi-ra.”

JULIE.
I know the people and I love them and they respect me. Let them come, you shall see.

JEAN.
No, Miss Julie, they don’t love you. They take your food and spit upon your kindness, believe me. Listen to them, listen to what they’re singing! No! Don’t listen!

JULIE
[Listening].

What are they singing?

JEAN.
It’s something suggestive, about you and me.

JULIE.
Infamous! Oh horrible! And how cowardly!

JEAN.
The pack is always cowardly. And in such a battle one can only run away.