Part 3
PAULA—I only wanted to see whether the cap has arrived for his excellency.
COUNT—Thank you, Paula.
PAULA—Not at all, your excellency. [_She exits through the archway._]
COUNT—Well, what is it? Things going wrong after all?
JUHASZ—Not exactly wrong, excellency. I suppose everything that happens is for the best. But just a while ago your excellency was kind enough to repeat what you had often said before.... [_Pushes a stool toward him._] Please sit down.
COUNT—[_Sits._] Well?
JUHASZ—That desk at Gerelypuszta ... which ... was always open to me.
COUNT—Yes, yes. What of it?
JUHASZ—Well, I’d like to go back to that desk.
COUNT—How’s that? In the last ten minutes you’ve....
JUHASZ—In the last ten minutes.
COUNT—That is very interesting. [_Looks around._] Where is your wife?
JUHASZ—That’s just it, your excellency.
COUNT—I don’t understand.
JUHASZ—My wife is going to divorce me and marry Oscar. The business is to be taken over by a receiver to-morrow morning. And here I stand, all alone in the world and free as a bird.
COUNT—[_Jovially._] My dear Juhasz, you are not a bird, you are now general manager ... or no ... general director of the Gerelypuszta Cheese Exporting Company.
JUHASZ—Your excellency’s generosity is boundless.
COUNT—The excellence of Gerelypuszta cheese is boundless, and my luck is boundless to get you back again. Juhasz, I wouldn’t trust my own brother with that cheese ... but I’ll trust you with it.
JUHASZ—I shall be very happy if....
COUNT—I shall be happy. When can you come? Drive down with me to-night.
JUHASZ—Excellency, my things, my house....
COUNT—How soon _can_ you come?
JUHASZ—Well ... perhaps the end of this week ... or the beginning of next.
COUNT—The sooner the better. You can’t come soon enough to suit me. [_Rises._] I congratulate myself. [_PAULA enters through the archway._] Now we will organize things on a big scale, Juhasz. We shall become an international enterprise. Gerelypuszta Cheeses, Ltd.!... And as to my neighbor and competitor, Baron Goldberger, we’ll settle him!... But, my dear friend, how selfish of me! I forgot all about your troubles.
JUHASZ—And I forgot all about your caps, excellency. [_Starts to go._] Excuse me a moment.
PAULA—The caps just came. Philip is wrapping them up.
JUHASZ—One is to go in with that jockey suit. [_He exits through the archway. There is a pause._]
COUNT—Well, Miss Paula, what do you think of it?
PAULA—It’s a gorgeous red, your excellency.
COUNT—What is?
PAULA—The cap.
COUNT—You little rogue! You know very well I mean this ... er ... domestic tragedy.
PAULA—What _can_ I think of it, your excellency? [_Comes nearer to him._] I know what it means to _me_. I’ve lost my job.
COUNT—How’s that? Can’t you stay on with the new boss?
PAULA—I suppose I could, but mother wouldn’t dream of letting me.... She only let me work for Mr. Juhasz because he has been a sort of second father to me. But I know she won’t let me stay under any other boss.... And I haven’t the heart to oppose mother’s wishes. The poor dear is so ill, and she has trouble enough with my wild brother.
COUNT—[_Who has been studying her appraisingly._] Too bad! I shall be sorry not to see you any more.
PAULA—Oh, your excellency!
COUNT—But even if you were staying on, I shouldn’t come here any more.... I only came on Juhasz’s account.
PAULA—We all know that, your excellency.
COUNT—Yes. And yet I am really sorry I shan’t be seeing you any more.
PAULA—Oh, your excellency!
COUNT—It was always a great pleasure to see you ... when I happened to come in.
PAULA—Your excellency embarrasses me.
COUNT—May I make a parting confession? Often I came only for the privilege of seeing you and exchanging a few casual words with you. To-day, for instance. Though you did make fun of me.
PAULA—I didn’t, your excellency.
COUNT—Because I am an old boy.... But all is not old that glitters. Why, my heart feels seventeen when I see you.
PAULA—But, your excellency!
COUNT—Oh, let’s drop that “excellency”! [_PHILIP enters through the archway, drying his hands._]
PAULA—[_Unaware of PHILIP’S presence._] You mustn’t think I consider you old.
COUNT—Now ... don’t pretend!
PAULA—Your white hair ... is one of your most attractive features.... If you only knew ... how odious young men are ... compared with an aristocratic, middle-aged gentleman like.... Oh, your excellency, I beg pardon.... I’ll go and get your package. [_Makes a movement toward the archway._]
COUNT—Wait! Juhasz will bring it. Don’t rob me of this last minute with you.
PAULA—[_With fine coquetry._] Last?
COUNT—You are going home to your mother, and I am going back to Gerelypuszta.... You are a very clever girl ... and I am not exactly stupid myself.... It would not be impossible, I daresay, to find you somewhere in the city.... But an old man must be as cautious and circumspect ... as a young girl ... and I try to be a very sensible old man.... I shall teach myself to do without you ... slowly, painlessly. [_PHILIP goes up behind the counter at back._] Poor Juhasz went into bankruptcy just in time for me, just in time.
[_JUHASZ, carrying the package, enters through the archway._]
JUHASZ—All packed and ready, your excellency. [_Goes to the door._] I’ll give it to your chauffeur. [_He exits._]
COUNT—What is that?
PHILIP—One jockey suit and a cap, your excellency.
COUNT—[_Turns in surprise._] Oh, you are here too?
PHILIP—I am here, excellency.
COUNT—[_Turns to PAULA._] Well, then ... good-bye, Miss Paula.
PAULA—[_With a bow._] Your excellency!
COUNT—You don’t even offer to shake hands?
PAULA—Oh!... [_They shake hands._]
COUNT—[_To PHILIP, going._] Good night.
PHILIP—Good night, your excellency.
COUNT—[_In the doorway._] Tell that man with the long stick that he can pull this grating down now. [_Dodges under the grating and exits._]
JUHASZ—[_His voice is heard from the street._] Good-bye, your excellency. [_The noise of a motor starting is heard. It dwindles and dies out in the distance._] [_JUHASZ re-enters._] Well, children. Let’s get finished. It is high time we were out of here. [_He takes out a drawer of the cash-register and exits with it through the archway._]
PAULA—I want to bid you good-bye, Philip. I suppose you will be staying on here.
PHILIP—Yes. You are a very sly young lady, Paula.
PAULA—Am I? Why?
PHILIP—I heard you.
PAULA—Did you hear anything ... wrong?
PHILIP—Wrong?... No.... Just clever.
PAULA—What do you mean?
PHILIP—You know what you’re doing, my girl. Only you started a bit late. Mr. Juhasz is going, and the shop is gone, and the Count isn’t coming back, and you won’t be able to flirt with him any more. Too late!
PAULA—Do you think so?
PHILIP—Yes, I do. The Count told you as much to your face.
PAULA—I wouldn’t be so sure of that, Mr. Philip.
PHILIP—Of what?
PAULA—That I shan’t see the Count again.
PHILIP—Now you’re losing your temper.
PAULA—[_With growing passion._] A great deal has gone on in this shop that you didn’t know about.
PHILIP—Oh, I think not.
PAULA—You’ve worked alongside of me for the past three years and don’t know me yet.
PHILIP—I think I do.
PAULA—Then you won’t be surprised to hear that I’m going to Gerelypuszta too.
PHILIP—What? What for?
PAULA—To be near the Count.
PHILIP—In Heaven’s name! [_Clasps his hands in horror._] When did you decide that?
PAULA—Just now.... This very minute. [_She is greatly excited._] Are you surprised?... For a whole year that Mrs. Juhasz has plagued me.... You saw her.... She treated me like a dog.... Tried her best to drive me away. And why do you suppose I was so patient? Why did I never answer back?
PHILIP—Miss Paula!
PAULA—[_Still more vehemently._] What did I endure it for? [_Points to the door._] For my future, Mr. Philip, for my future ... who just passed through that door ... and rode off in his motor car. But I mean to follow him, Mr. Philip. Make no mistake about that. That old man has been staring at me for a year ... ogling me ... and I have been ... slowly and carefully ... playing my game.... You needn’t look so horrified, Mr. Philip ... a filthy little intrigue isn’t what I was after ... no ... here I have sat ... sighing away my youth ... among a lot of motor coats bound for Paris and Ostend ... pretty travelling veils soon to be worn in London ... and Monte Carlo ... out in the great, glittering world.... I want to live, too, Mr. Philip, to live, to live.... And now shall I give up all hope simply because this little shop has gone under? No, my dear Philip, I shan’t let his excellency get away from me that easily.
PHILIP—You won’t let him——
PAULA—I’m going to follow him to Gerelypuszta. The rest will be easy.
PHILIP—And what will you tell your mother?
PAULA—That Mr. Juhasz is taking me. She’ll let me go with him.
PHILIP—And what will you tell Mr. Juhasz?
PAULA—That I can’t leave him alone in all this trouble ... that I can’t part from him.
PHILIP—Deceive him? You too? You’d take advantage of him too?
PAULA—Yes.
PHILIP—You’d use _him_ for a purpose like that?
PAULA—I’m sick of poverty, Mr. Philip.... If you knew how sick I am of being poor!
PHILIP—It’s monstrous!
PAULA—Can I help it?... I tell you I won’t grow old over a typewriting machine. I won’t let myself decay in this dingy office.
PHILIP—But Mr. Juhasz——
PAULA—I’m not considering anyone except myself. I need Mr. Juhasz now, and, no matter what you say, I mean to use him.
PHILIP—[_Scrutinizing her narrowly._] This isn’t wickedness. It’s only childish egotism.
PAULA—I mean to do just what I said.
PHILIP—And suppose I prevent you?
PAULA—How?
PHILIP—Suppose I tell Mr. Juhasz exactly what you said.
PAULA—First you worm everything out of me ... and then.... But he wouldn’t believe you.... Besides ... you won’t tell ... you are too fond of him yourself.
PHILIP—That’s exactly why. He is bound to find out sooner or later.
PAULA—No. A man like him never sees such things. [_Confidently._] You won’t tell. You won’t open your mouth. [_JUHASZ enters through the archway, carrying his hat and cane._]
JUHASZ—And now, dear Miss Paula, there is one painful duty left for me to do. I promised your mother that I would look after you as a father ... and now ... I must send you back to your mother.... I ... forgive me for the ceremony ... I discharge you, Miss Paula.... But to-morrow I will use what influence I may have with the new boss——
PAULA—[_Firmly._] That won’t be necessary, Mr. Juhasz.
JUHASZ—Don’t you want to keep your job?
PAULA—No.
JUHASZ—Why not?
PAULA—Because I ... am going with you, Mr. Juhasz.
JUHASZ—With me?
PAULA—With you ... wherever you may go.
JUHASZ—[_Amazed._] Miss Paula!
PAULA—There is no use discussing it. You know I always do what I say.
JUHASZ—[_Puts down his hat and stick._] With me, Miss Paula?
PAULA—With you.
JUHASZ—But the place I am going to ... is a tiny village ... deep in the country ... at the end of the world.
PAULA—I’m going too. If there’s work for you, there will be work for me too.
JUHASZ—But you are young, Miss Paula.... Why should you leave Budapest ... now ... when so many new enterprises are being founded?... Why, with your talent and industry——
PAULA—Let us not discuss it, please, Mr. Juhasz. I am going with you.
JUHASZ—Do you hear that, Philip?
PHILIP—[_Morosely._] I hear.
PAULA—Promise that you’ll take me with you ... and look upon me ... as you always have ... as your child ... as your friend.
JUHASZ—[_Deeply moved._] I am compensated ... Paula ... for all ... all that I suffered to-day.... God is good to me, after all.
PAULA—[_Low, ashamed._] I am devoted to you, Mr. Juhasz. You know that.... Will you excuse me now? I must go, or mother will be worried about me. [_Starts to go._] Besides, I think Mr. Philip has something to tell you. [_She exits through the archway._]
JUHASZ—[_Deeply touched._] What a heart she has!... That is the stuff that saints and martyrs are made of.... And to think that here [_with an emotional break in his voice_]—here in this dim little shop ... such loyalty ... such devotion should have blossomed ... unknown.... [_Dries his eyes._] It’s good to know there are such people in the world! [_PHILIP, in surly silence, picks up his hat and stick, pulls on his gloves._] Is there something you wanted to say to me, Philip?
PHILIP—Hm.... Do you know that.... [_Stops._]
JUHASZ—Well?
PHILIP—Well, you know ... er....
JUHASZ—Don’t play the cynic with me, you old hypocrite ... you.... I know what you are hiding under those gruff, silent ways of yours.
PHILIP—No ... that’s not it.
JUHASZ—Now don’t pretend to me.... I know your faithful heart, Philip ... you needn’t be ashamed because you are touched.
PHILIP—[_Lowers his eyes._] You are right.
JUHASZ—I knew it.
PHILIP—[_Softly._] I am touched.
JUHASZ—What were you going to say to me?
PHILIP—I wasn’t going to say anything. [_There is a pause._]
JUHASZ—[_Picks up his hat and stick._] I’m a lucky man, after all.... My wife and Oscar.... You must admit they were honest about it.... And how eager he was to get me back the shop.... And the Count ... see how generous he was to me.... And then ... to crown it all ... that good, loyal girl.... Really, Philip, love and trust are always repaid in kind in this world.... I’ve found that out.... But you needn’t look so morose about it....
PHILIP—God bless you, Mr. Juhasz!
JUHASZ—Look after things until I come back.... They are sure to send the money by autumn.
PHILIP—Are they?
JUHASZ—Oscar? He’ll send it ... if he has to starve for it. [_PAULA enters, dressed for the street. Behind her comes ADOLF with his pole._]
PHILIP—Good night.
JUHASZ—Are you going to the opera?
PHILIP—No. I gave my ticket to the cap-maker’s apprentice.
JUHASZ—Then you’ll see Paula home as usual?
PHILIP—Sorry. I’m going the other way to-night. Good night!
JUHASZ _and_ PAULA—Good night. [_PHILIP exits through the door. A brief pause._]
JUHASZ—What’s the matter with Philip to-night?
PAULA—He’s upset, of course. He loves you too.... [_A brief pause._]
ADOLF—Can I close up now?
JUHASZ—Certainly. [_ADOLF exits. A brief pause._] What are you waiting for? Why don’t you pull it down?
ADOLF—[_Sticks his head in the doorway._] I was just looking to see if his excellency was coming. [_He vanishes. The sound of the grating descending is heard._]
JUHASZ—Now then ... I’ll see you home myself, Paula.
PAULA—Don’t bother, Mr. Juhasz. I live quite near, you know.
JUHASZ—No matter. And I’m not in a hurry to-night anyway.
ADOLF—[_Finished with the door._] If you please, Mr. Juhasz, your maid telephoned a while ago to ask why you were so late. Your supper is getting spoiled.
PAULA—There, you see.... Please don’t bother about me.
JUHASZ—Not at all.... [_To ADOLF._] Phone and tell her that I shan’t be home for supper to-night. I’ll go to a restaurant. [_ADOLF exits through the archway._]
PAULA—You are quite right.... The empty house and the vacant place at table....
JUHASZ—Not that, but ... you see ... my wife is very fond of asparagus ... and it’s out of season and hard to get.... This afternoon I got some ... the first asparagus to arrive in the city.... And I sent it home ... for supper ... a surprise, you know.... Well ... now ... if I go home ... what can I say to the maid?... Shall I stand there and be ashamed ... of the asparagus? [_A brief pause._] Or shall I eat it myself?
ADOLF—[_In the archway._] I am putting out the lights, Mr. Juhasz.
JUHASZ—[_To PAULA, who is about to go._] One moment. [_To ADOLF._] Wait, my son, there is something I promised you. [_He takes the toy steamship from under the counter, at right. He stands behind the counter. ADOLF comes down in front of it._] Now, look here, my son. See this little lid? You lift it up like that. See?
ADOLF—Yes, sir.
JUHASZ—[_Begins in a matter-of-fact way, but gradually his voice grows more sorrowful until, in the end, it is trembling with suppressed sobs._] In here are two keys. This one winds up the wheels when you want the ship to run along the floor. This one winds up the propeller. See ... that is the propeller. It makes the ship move through the water ... if there is any water. The thing to remember is that you mustn’t turn the key backwards, for then the spring unwinds. And when you wind it, you must wind it very slowly, just as you wind a watch, very slowly.... [_He turns the key three times while ADOLF watches absorbedly. Nothing is heard but the click of the turning cog-wheels as the curtain slowly, almost imperceptibly, falls._]
ACT TWO
ACT TWO
[_The COUNT’S workroom in a little outbuilding devoted to the business of the estate. A wide glass door back center, with a window on either side of it, looks on a terrace and a quaint old garden beyond. At the right and left are doors to other offices._
_Up right stands the COUNT’S huge desk and in front of it, to the right, a small table on which is a typewriting machine. Up left is a long table covered with a litter of papers, books and pamphlets. Down left, against the wall, stands a little sofa._
_It is a bright summer morning. The COUNT sits at his desk. DOMOKOS, an elderly clerk, is making a report to him._]
DOMOKOS—And about that fellow, Mate. He’s the most useless man about the place. An absolute disgrace to the dairy.
COUNT—And the favorite of Mr. Juhasz.
DOMOKOS—Yes, excellency. I’d have discharged Mate long ago, but Mr. Juhasz won’t let me. He’s sorry for the man.
COUNT—Sorry for him!
DOMOKOS—Mate has such a glib tongue he always manages to get around Mr. Juhasz somehow. But this time ... he hadn’t turned up for three days. This morning he reported for work again, looking very seedy. But this time we’ve caught him right. I found this letter ... [_exhibits the letter_] which proves beyond a doubt that Mate is the paid spy of our competitor, Baron Goldberger.
COUNT—Goldberger!
DOMOKOS—Yes, of Baron Goldberger.
COUNT—Not _Baron_ Goldberger....
DOMOKOS—Pardon me ... no. Of Goldberger. And, if Mr. Juhasz doesn’t discharge him now....
COUNT—I’ll see to it. Where is this Mate? [_He rings._]
DOMOKOS—I told him to wait out there in the little office. [_Points to the left._]
COUNT—Give me that letter. [_DOMOKOS gives it to him. SANTHA, an old man, half clerk, half servant, enters at left; waits at the door._] Send Mate in.
SANTHA—Yes, your excellency.
COUNT—Then ask Miss Paula to step in.
SANTHA—Yes, your excellency. [_Exits at left._]
DOMOKOS—Mr. Juhasz is spoiling all the men with that benevolence of his. [_MATE enters at left. He is young; wears a white linen jacket which is soiled and torn. Behind him SANTHA enters and crosses to right, where he exits._]
COUNT—I am told you have been neglecting your work and going off on a spree for days at a time.
MATE—I was home ... sick, excellency. And Mr. Juhasz....
DOMOKOS—You were seen in a beer garden in Budapest three different times.
COUNT—That will do, Mate. Wait out there until you are sent for. Mr. Juhasz will attend to you.
MATE—Excellency, I give you my word—— [_SANTHA is seen crossing the garden from right to left._]
COUNT—That will do, Mate. [_MATE exits at left. The COUNT rises._] Thank you, Domokos. Let me have the rest of your report this afternoon.... I am busy now. Leave that letter here. [_Rings._] Where is Juhasz?
DOMOKOS—I saw him down near the hothouses. I think he’s feeding the pigeons.
COUNT—Naturally.
DOMOKOS—Yes, sir. [_He exits at left as PAULA enters at right._]
PAULA—Good morning!
COUNT—Good morning, sunbeam. Quick, quick. We can talk now. Your duenna is away ... feeding the pigeons.
PAULA—Your excellency is always saying unkind things about Mr. Juhasz. [_She sits at the typewriting machine._]
COUNT—And yet I love him as I would my own son. [_Kisses PAULA’S hand._]
PAULA—I must pretend to be working. If he comes in and finds me just talking to you, he’ll be unhappy again.
COUNT—No fear of that now.... He is a long way from here.
PAULA—As if that mattered! He divines the fact that we are together. And he can find me with his eyes shut. [_Taps once or twice on the machine._] Please don’t let him catch us like this.
COUNT—This is intolerable, Paula. It can’t go on. One of the reasons I sent for you was to tell you that I mean to get rid of Juhasz to-day.
PAULA—[_Sorrowfully._] Your excellency....
COUNT—There is a dairyman named Mate, a wholly untrustworthy fellow, whom he won’t dismiss. That gives me a perfect excuse, and I intend to make use of it. For I can’t let this sort of thing go on indefinitely. He’s always on your heels like a watch-dog, and I’m sick of it.... It isn’t enough that he’s practically useless around the place ... but he demoralizes everything with that benevolence of his ... my dignity ... even my cheese.... And to crown it all he makes me play the comedian in my own house. In order to be alone with you I must give you dictation. And in order to give you dictation I must make political speeches.... And I detest political speeches....
PAULA—[_Listening._] Wasn’t that the door? He’s just come in the anteroom. Dictate to me! Hurry!
COUNT—It’s enough to drive a man to despair. [_Loudly, as PAULA types._] “If the Minister of Agriculture supposes ... that the farmers of the country will tolerate ... such a thing, he is gravely mistaken.” I’ll discharge him. I’ll discharge him this very day.... No.... Don’t write that ... I don’t mean the minister.
PAULA—[_As she writes._] Don’t be unkind to him.... He’s such a dear, gentle soul.
COUNT—[_Loudly._] The tiller of the soil asks little of his Government....
PAULA—[_As she writes._] It’s sheer gratitude that makes him guard me so faithfully, gratitude to me for having come here with him.
COUNT—I’ve put up with his gratitude until I’m weary of it. It’s four months since you came here. Do you realize it? Four months you have tormented me ... on his account. Four months you have been postponing my happiness from day to day ... on his account.
PAULA—You must be patient a little longer. He’ll go of his own accord ... as soon as he gets his fifty-one thousand kronen from Berlin. Meantime, I can’t let you be unkind to him ... no ... not on my account.
COUNT—He’ll never get the money. And I can’t wait. I am fifty-six, Paula, and desperately in love ... in love, do you hear.... [_Comes nearer to her._] You beautiful ... young ... thing! [_JUHASZ enters at left with a big ledger under his arm._]
JUHASZ—I beg pardon. Shall I check up the live-stock too?
COUNT—[_Crossly._] Yes. [_To PAULA._] “The deplorable policies inaugurated by the Minister of Agriculture....” [_PAULA types._] By the way, Miss, is that detailed statement finished?
PAULA—Your excellency, my eyes have been troubling me ... and ... I have only finished with the summaries. [_Hands him a sheaf of closely written documents._]
COUNT—[_Affecting severity._] You must manage to get more work done, Miss Paula. Please be sure to have the detailed statements ready for me by this evening. [_JUHASZ exits at left._]
PAULA—He heard you as he came in. I’m sure he heard you!... Oh, I’m so sorry!
COUNT—You needn’t be. It doesn’t matter any more. I shan’t let him hinder me any longer. I can’t afford to. I’m too old. The only thing left to do is pay the fifty-one thousand kronen, give him back his shop and be rid of him.