FullReads

JULIA.
[Flaring up]

What is that? What kind of hints? What do you mean?

JEAN.
[Submissively]

As you don’t want to understand, I have to speak more plainly. It don’t look well to prefer one servant to all the rest who are expecting to be honoured in the same unusual way–

JULIA.
Prefer! What ideas! I’m surprised! I, the mistress of the house, deign to honour this dance with my presence, and when it so happens that I actually want to dance, I want to dance with one who knows how to lead, so that I am not made ridiculous.

JEAN.
As you command, Miss Julia! I am at your service!

JULIA.
[Softened]

Don’t take it as a command. To-night we should enjoy ourselves as a lot of happy people, and all rank should be forgotten. Now give me your arm. Don’t be afraid, Christine! I’ll return your beau to you!

[JEAN offers his arm to MISS JULIA and leads her out.]

***

PANTOMIME

Must be acted as if the actress were really alone in the place. When necessary she turns her back to the public. She should not look in the direction of the spectators, and she should not hurry as if fearful that they might become impatient.

CHRISTINE is alone. A schottische tune played on a violin is heard faintly in the distance.

While humming the tune, CHRISTINE clears o$ the table after JEAN, washes the plate at the kitchen table, wipes it, and puts it away in a cupboard.

Then she takes of her apron, pulls out a small mirror from one of the table-drawers and leans it against the flower jar on the table; lights a tallow candle and heats a hairpin, which she uses to curl her front hair.

Then she goes to the door and stands there listening. Returns to the table. Discovers the handkerchief which MISS JULIA has left behind, picks it up, and smells it, spreads it out absent-mindedly and begins to stretch it, smooth it, fold it up, and so forth.

***

JEAN.
[Enters alone]

Crazy, that’s what she is! The way she dances! And the people stand behind the doors and grill at her. What do you think of it, Christine?

CHRISTINE.
Oh, she has her time now, and then she is always a little queer like that. But are you going to dance with me now?

JEAN.
You are not mad at me because I disappointed you?

CHRISTINE.
No!–Not for a little thing like that, you know! And also, I know my place–

JEAN.
[Putting his arm around her waist]

You are a, sensible girl, Christine, and I think you’ll make a good wife–

JULIA
[Enters and is unpleasantly surprised; speaks with forced gayety]
Yes, you are a fine partner–running away from your lady!

JEAN
. On the contrary, Miss Julia. I have, as you see, looked up the one I deserted.

JULIA.
[Changing tone]

Do you know, there is nobody that dances like you!–But why do you wear your livery on an evening like this? Take it off at once!

JEAN.
Then I must ask you to step outside for a moment, as my black coat is hanging right here. [Points toward the right and goes in that direction.]

JULIA.
Are you bashful on my account? Just to change a coat? Why don’t you go into your own room and come back again? Or, you can stay right here, and I’ll turn my back on you.

JEAN.
With your permission, Miss Julia.

[Goes further over to the right; one of his arms can be seen as he changes his coat.]