FullReads

[slowing down]
to catch–and then we grow rich–and we build us a villa at Lake Como–of course, it is raining a little in that place now and then— but

[limply]
the sun must be shining sometimes–although it looks dark–and–then–or else we can go home again–and come back–here— or some other place–

CHRISTINE.
Tell me, Miss Julia, do you believe in all that yourself?

JULIA.
[Crushed]

Do I believe in it myself?

CHRISTINE.
Yes.

JULIA.
[Exhausted]

I don’t know: I believe no longer in anything.

[She sinks down on the bench and drops her head between her arms on the table]
Nothing! Nothing at all!

CHRISTINE.
[Turns to the right, where JEAN is standing]

So you were going to run away!

JEAN.
[Abashed, puts the razor on the table]

Run away? Well, that’s putting it rather strong. You have heard what the young lady proposes, and though she is tired out now by being up all night, it’s a proposition that can be put through all right.

CHRISTINE.
Now you tell me: did you mean me to act as cook for that one there–?

JEAN.
[Sharply]

Will you please use decent language in speaking to your mistress! Do you understand?

CHRISTINE.
Mistress!

JEAN.
Yes!

CHRISTINE.
Well, well! Listen to him!

JEAN.
Yes, it would be better for you to listen a little more and talk a little less. Miss Julia is your mistress, and what makes you disrespectful to her now should snake you feel the same way about yourself.

CHRISTINE.
Oh, I have always had enough respect for myself–

JEAN.
To have none for others!

CHRISTINE.
–not to go below my own station. You can’t say that the count’s cook has had anything to do with the groom or the swineherd. You can’t say anything of the kind!

JEAN.
Yes, it’s your luck that you have had to do with a gentleman.

CHRISTINE.
Yes, a gentleman who sells the oats out of the count’s stable!

JEAN.
What’s that to you who get a commission on the groceries and bribes from the butcher?

CHRISTINE.
What’s that?

JEAN.
And so you can’t respect your master and mistress any longer! You–you!

CHRISTINE.
Are you coming with me to church? I think you need a good sermon on top of such a deed.

JEAN.
No, I am not going to church to-day. You can go by yourself and confess your own deeds.

CHRISTINE.
Yes, I’ll do that, and I’ll bring back enough forgiveness to cover you also. The Saviour suffered and died on the cross for all our sins, and if we go to him with a believing heart and a repentant mind, he’ll take all our guilt on himself.

JULIA.
Do you believe that, Christine?

CHRISTINE.
It is my living belief, as sure as I stand here, and the faith of my childhood which I have kept since I was young, Miss Julia. And where sin abounds, grace abounds too.

JULIA.
Oh, if I had your faith! Oh, if—

CHRISTINE.
Yes, but you don’t get it without the special grace of God, and that is not bestowed on everybody–

JULIA.
On whom is it bestowed then?

CHRISTINE.
That’s just the great secret of the work of grace, Miss Julia, and the Lord has no regard for persons, but there those that are last shall be the foremost–