Fashions for men, and The swan

Aristocratic Lady—If I remember rightly, Mr. Juhasz, I saw some of this on Countess Hohensperg at Tatralomnicz.

Juhasz—That may be. I must look it up in the book. [To Adele.] Tell me, dear. [Shows her the material.] Is this the same Agreable we sold to the Countess Hohensperg a few months ago?

Adele—It may be. I am not sure.

Oscar—[To the Unassuming Lady.] Excuse me, madame. [Loudly to Juhasz.] Yes, the Countess Hohensperg got some of that....

Aristocratic Lady—I thought so.

Oscar—Yes, madame, this Chatterton Agreable comes in twelve different colors. The countess took five.

Aristocratic Lady—Then, of course, I can’t consider it. I am really sorry to give you so much trouble, Mr. Juhasz.

Juhasz—But it is no trouble at all.

Aristocratic Lady—You are perfectly charming, Mr. Juhasz. Just as if you had been born to cater to the caprices of women. You never lose patience——

Juhasz—[Clearing away the materials.] But that’s what we are here for, madame.

Aristocratic Lady—[Rummaging through the materials.] This is nice, but it isn’t becoming to me. This is for a bigger woman ... this for a thinner woman ... this is too youthful ... and this is too old. This is nice, but it’s a bit loud ... and this is too dull. Now this is very nice indeed, but Countess Hohensperg has it. So it is out of the question.

Juhasz—Suppose we let the Agreable go, and look at some Biarritz instead. The fact is, I consider Biarritz a much better grade. It is kept back here. Will you step this way, or shall I bring it out to you here?

Aristocratic Lady—[Rises.] I wouldn’t think of putting you to so much trouble. You have turned out half your stock for me already. [Turns to Adele.] Your wife must be impatient to go home.

Adele—Not at all.

Aristocratic Lady—It’s past seven. You are usually closed by this time.

Adele—Oh, we are very glad to serve you. [Points to Oscar.] There, you see ... and there is still another customer in there.

Oscar—[Has approached Juhasz.] The lady heard us mention the Agreable that Countess Hohensperg——

Aristocratic Lady—Quite out of the question!

Oscar—No, no—[Low.] The lady heard us talking about it [meantime Juhasz has gone over to the Unassuming Lady] and wants to have a look at it. [Takes the material with a pitying smile.] Thank you. She’s from a different social sphere.

Aristocratic Lady—One would never believe that people could be such apes.

Juhasz—[In the archway.] If you will step this way, please.

Aristocratic Lady—I shan’t detain him much longer, Mrs. Juhasz. [Juhasz lets her past him, then follows her off through the archway.]

Unassuming Lady—I’ll take this for the sixth.

Oscar—[Counting the patterns.] One, two, three, four, five and the Agreable makes six.

Unassuming Lady—Will it take long?

Oscar—No, indeed, madame. We know that madame goes to Lelle on the twentieth, and from there to Lake Pusztaban, and later to Post Berettyo—Saint Peter. [The Unassuming Lady rises.] Is there anything else I can show you? We have just got in some very beautiful girdles. [Reaches for a box on the table.]

Unassuming Lady—Thank you, but it’s too late now.

Oscar—But, madame, that’s what we are here for. [Shows her a bonnet.] Auto bonnets ... just arrived ... really the newest thing of its kind.

Unassuming Lady—[Takes it in her hand.] I shall be coming in again toward the end of next week.... How much is this?

Oscar—May I see? [Looks at the tag.] Seventy kronen.

Unassuming Lady—For this?

Oscar—It’s the style that costs, madame. We have some cheaper ones ... some between forty and fifty.

Unassuming Lady—Thanks.... Next time I come, perhaps. You have my address?

Oscar—[Rapidly.] Forty Nagykorona Street, first floor, apartment two.

Unassuming Lady—That’s right. Now please see to it that my things are delivered on time. Good night.

Oscar—[Opens the door for her.] You can rely on us absolutely. Thank you. Good night. [She exits. He closes the door behind her and returns to his counter. As he speaks he clears away the materials, folds up those he sold and makes notes on the tags.] A couple of evening stars ... those two ... always popping up just as we are about to close ... and it’s almost impossible to get rid of them.

Adele—Philip is still busy with a customer, too.

Oscar—[Glances through the archway.] And your husband is just starting to climb the ladder. [Looks at his watch.] This is a nice time. [Adele takes her hat out of the lowest drawer of the desk.] What are you doing?

Adele—Getting my hat.

Oscar—[Excitedly.] But, my dear, where do you expect to talk to him?

Adele—Now don’t get excited.... And I told you before you are not to call me dear in the shop.

Oscar—[With a glance through the archway.] He can’t hear me. He’s up on the ladder. And no matter if he does hear me to-day. You are not going home with him, are you?

Adele—No; I’m only getting my hat.

Oscar—You settle everything with him right here ... in the shop.

Adele—All right! All right! [Takes off her hat.]

Oscar—[Excitedly.] I won’t have you go home with him any more.

Adele—Don’t get so excited. I’ll talk to him right here. But I have to wait until the customers are gone, haven’t I?

Oscar—Yes, certainly. [Nervously resumes his task of clearing the counter.] Forgive me, dear, but I’m awfully nervous. And no wonder.

Adele—I’m nervous, too. But I control myself.

Oscar—I’ll be right near you, and if you need me I’ll come over. The main thing is to keep cool. Now, of all times, you must be cool.

Adele—Leave everything to me. If I need you I’ll call you in.

Oscar—That’s right! That’s right! There’s only one thing I want to impress upon you. No scandal.

Adele—He’d never make a scandal.

Oscar—And you have no business going to his house after this. When you leave here to-day there is only one place for you to go: your mother’s house.

Adele—Now, dear, you’re getting excited again.

Oscar—How can you expect me to be calm? I stand at the turning point of my life. And I’m subject to heart attacks. It runs in our family. I have to be very careful.... And yet, my God ... [stops his work] when I think that to-night ... this ordinary spring night ... this commonplace Thursday evening ... you are to be mine ... definitely and forever ... mine ... body and soul.... Come here!

Adele—Be careful.

Oscar—Come here, come here!

Adele—[Goes to him.] There now, you are getting all excited again.

Oscar—Only your hand, your hand ... for a moment.

Adele—But Oscar!

Oscar—Your hand! You know I’ve got heart trouble! [She gives him her hand. He takes it, looks cautiously through the archway, then speaks, softly but passionately.] Mine! My own wife! Before all the world! And together we begin a new and wonderful life. To-night I lead you forth from your prison.... Don’t take your hand away! I won’t have you take your hand away!

Adele—[Leaves him; returns to her desk.] You must behave yourself, Oscar, or you’ll make me nervous, too.

Oscar—Your hand, your hand, your mouth....

Adele—But, Oscar!... You know I need all my wits just now. Clear away that Zephir.

Oscar—Clear away, clear away! Now, when I want to explode, I must clear a lot of Zephir away! [Gazes at her adoringly.] When I think, you sweet, slender, white.... [He looks quickly toward the archway, as if he heard something there. His voice changes suddenly.] Forty Nagykorona Street, apartment two. [He writes on a tag.] First floor. Madame Aurel Szelenyi. [Philip and the Young Gentleman enter through the archway.]

Philip—This way, Baron. [Comes in before him.]

Young Gentleman—Can you still send it to-day?

Philip—[At the cashier’s desk.] If you must have it, sir.

Young Gentleman—[At the cashier’s desk.] As soon as you can, please.

Philip—[To Adele.] Three hundred and eighty-eight kronen. [The Young Gentleman gives her a banknote.]

Adele—[Rings the cash register, makes change.] Three hundred and eighty-eight ... twelve ... makes four hundred. Thank you, sir.

Young Gentleman—You have the address?

Oscar—[In a sing-song tone.] Thirty-two Museum Street, second floor.

Young Gentleman—[Staring in surprise at Oscar.] That’s right. Good day.

Oscar—[Hurries to open the door for him.] Good night, sir.

Young Gentleman—Good night. [He exits, pauses a moment outside the window, then passes on.]

Philip—Thank you, sir. Good night. [A brief pause.]

Oscar—Now if that pest of a woman would only go.... [To Philip.] Philip, clear those rags away, will you? [He points to the materials on the counter at right. Philip obeys.]

Adele—Didn’t I hear Philip say he had a ticket for Lohengrin to-night?

Oscar—[As he goes up toward the archway.] For what?

Adele—For the opera.

Philip—[Already working at the counter.] That makes no difference.

Oscar—It doesn’t begin till seven-thirty. [He exits through the archway. There is a brief pause.]

Philip—It begins at seven, but it doesn’t matter.

Adele—Leave that stuff, Philip, and run along to your opera.

Philip—Oh, it’s all the same to me now. I’ve been to Lohengrin sixteen times and was late every time. To-night I’ll be late for the seventeenth time.

Adele—Leave that, then, and go, why don’t you?

Philip—Oh, I might as well be an hour late now. I know all of Lohengrin by heart. The only reason I accept tickets for it any more is because I’ve never succeeded in seeing the beginning. The part where the swan comes on the stage, pulling Lohengrin in a boat. I’d like to see that just once. But it’s too late now. The swan’s all through by this time, and has gone home for his supper. [Continues to fold and put away the materials.]

Adele—My husband will clear that away. Don’t be so obstinate.

Philip—You seem very eager to get rid of me to-night.

Adele—I don’t know what makes you think that.

Philip—Just things I’ve noticed.

Adele—What have you noticed?

Philip—Maybe I had better keep my mouth shut.

Adele—That’s always a good idea. And yet, as long as you mentioned it——

Philip—Please, please.... I don’t want to know. Just leave me out of it.

Adele—Out of what?

Philip—Out of what’s going on around here. I’m just a lonesome old man——

Adele—You are a hateful old man. [Wrathfully.] You hate Oscar because he is the heart and soul of the business, because he is young, and clever, and has nice manners, and knows the business better than you do, and because the customers like him better. You are jealous of him.

Philip—I consider Mr. Oscar a very ordinary young man.

Adele—And I admire his type very much!

Philip—His kind must live, too, I suppose. [Juhasz and the Aristocratic Lady enter through the archway.]

Aristocratic Lady—No, your Biarritz won’t do. I wonder you keep that grade of material at all.

Juhasz—Perhaps madame will be good enough to come in again next week. We are expecting an entirely new lot from Vienna. We are certain to find something you like.

Aristocratic Lady—[Goes to the cashier’s desk.] Your patience is endless, Mr. Juhasz.

Juhasz—Patience is a merchant’s first duty.

Aristocratic Lady—You are an angel. A perfect angel! [To Adele.] I hope you don’t mind my paying your husband compliments.

Adele—Indeed, no.

Aristocratic Lady—I daresay you are used to it. Everybody adores Mr. Juhasz.

Adele—Oh, madame!

Aristocratic Lady—You are a very fortunate young woman to have such a husband.

Juhasz—It’s I who am fortunate, madame, to have such a devoted little wife. The poor darling sits here every day from early morning till late at night.

Aristocratic Lady—Has the count been here lately?

Adele—Our benefactor?

Aristocratic Lady—The guardian angel of the establishment.

Juhasz—He was here the day before yesterday.

Aristocratic Lady—How is he?

Adele—In love with my husband.

Aristocratic Lady—You mustn’t joke about that, young lady. Everybody loves your husband but his heart is for you alone. Good night, Mr. Angel.... I shall look at that Biarritz again in the daylight and that ... what do you call it ... too.

Philip—[Angry, but sweetly.] Agreable.

Aristocratic Lady—Agreable. Well, good night.

Adele and Juhasz—[Simultaneously.] Good night. [The Aristocratic Lady exits.]

Juhasz—[Closing the door.] Why didn’t you say good night, Philip?

Philip—[Resentfully.] Good night, madame.

Juhasz—Well, well. [To Adele.] What a handsome woman she is!

Philip—She’s been handsome a long time now. And she owes more than she’s worth. You are the only merchant in town who gives her credit any more. You just let her haul the stuff out of here as if it didn’t cost you anything.

Juhasz—What can she do, poor woman? She’s got to keep up her social position.

Philip—But not with your money.

Juhasz—Aristocratic poverty is the bitterest kind. I haven’t the heart to refuse her.

Adele—Philip is in a temper because he has missed the swan again.

Juhasz—[Looks at his watch.] Did you have a ticket for Lohengrin again?

Philip—Yes, and I’ve still got it.

Juhasz—Why didn’t you tell me? You know I’d have let you off at six-thirty. That really makes me angry. I told you long ago——

Philip—Because you’re good-hearted there’s no need for me to——

Juhasz—There goes my heart again. You all talk about my heart as if it were some prima donna.... You leave my heart alone.

Philip—[Mocking the Aristocratic Lady’s tone.] Everybody adores Mr. Juhasz!

Juhasz—Go on now. What are you waiting for?

Philip—Thanks, but I shan’t go at all to-night. [He exits through the archway. There is a pause.]

Juhasz—What’s wrong with him to-night?

Adele—I don’t know, and I really don’t care.

Juhasz—Why, Adele!

Adele—[Comes out from behind the desk.] Don’t be angry, Peter. I am a bit upset to-night. I’ve come to a very important decision ... and I feel ... I must tell you about it to-day.

Juhasz—My dear child ... I didn’t think you had a care in the world.

Adele—Yes, I have.... But you are so good ... so much better than anyone else.... I hardly know how to begin. It’s terribly hard to tell you!

Juhasz—Hard? To tell me? There, put on your things ... and you can tell me all about it on the way home. Or while we are at supper.

Adele—No, Peter, I can’t tell you on the way home ... or at supper either. This is something I must tell you here.

Juhasz—Here and nowhere else?

Adele—Here ... and now.

Juhasz—Urgent as all that! [Calls through the archway.] Adolf, we’ll close up now.

Adele—You will understand ... when I’ve told you ... that [Paula enters through the archway, a sheaf of letters and invoices in her hand.]

Paula—May I interrupt a moment, Mrs. Juhasz?

Adele—Certainly.

Paula—Semlinger and Weiss have written about those motor robes again ... the leather-bound ones. They say they are holding two dozen for us.

Adele—[Uneasily.] Let me see. [She takes the letter.]

Juhasz—Didn’t you answer them last week?

Paula—Mrs. Juhasz thought we might wait awhile.

Adele—How dare you say such a thing?

Juhasz—But, my dear....

Paula—[Coldly.] Mrs. Juhasz instructed me not to answer it.

Juhasz—If Miss Paula says you....

Adele—I suppose she can’t be mistaken.

Paula—I usually am not.

Adele—What do I care about your old motor robes? [Throws the letter away.] I have nothing to do with it. [Walks away from them.]

Juhasz—[Picks up the letter.] My wife’s a bit nervous to-night. Write Semlinger and Weiss, Miss Paula, that we’ll take the whole two dozen. [Gives her the letter; looks at his watch.] But do it in the morning. Go home now. To-morrow is another day.

Paula—Thanks, Mr. Juhasz, but I don’t like to go home while there is work unfinished.

Juhasz—Miss Paula, I’ve warned you before ... you’ll ruin your eyes if you are not careful.

Paula—No fear, Mr. Juhasz.... There was something about waterproof coats, too, in their first letter. I must look it up. [She exits through the archway.]

Juhasz—How thorough she is, how orderly!

Adele—That’s what she’s paid for. You only see the good side of people.

Juhasz—I think that must be the only side they show me. [Adolf enters through the archway, carrying a long pole with a hook on the end of it.] Close up, Adolf; close up. It’s half past seven. [Adolf goes to the door.] Sit down a moment, Adele. [To Adolf.] Pull it down. We’ll go out the back way. [To Adele.] You are a bit agitated. [Adolf has gone outside. First he closes the bronze shutter at the window, then he begins to pull down the iron grating at the door. When it is half way down he is interrupted.]

Count—[Outside.] Ho, there! Wait a minute! [He dodges under the half closed grating and enters.]

Count—Tell me, do you lock all your customers out like this?

Juhasz—If we had known, your excellency. [To Adolf.] Raise it up. [Adolf raises the grating and exits through the archway.]

Count—I’ve come to see about those jockey costumes, Juhasz.

Juhasz—But they were to be sent by post to-morrow.

Count—I know, Juhasz, but I’m driving down to the farm to-night ... and I want to take one costume with me ... to show to my brother-in-law before the Vienna races.

Juhasz—The suits are finished, but I’ll have to telephone the cap-maker about the caps. Just a moment. [He hurries off through the archway.]

Adele—Won’t you sit down, your excellency?

Count—Thanks. I’m going in a moment. What’s new?

Adele—Nothing ... much, your excellency.

Count—How’s business?

Adele—Well....

Count—What? Not good?

Adele—Not as good as it might be.... Your excellency has been so generous to us.... I feel I ought to tell you frankly ... it’s quite bad.

Count—Why?

Adele—There is no accounting for it. For two years business was splendid, and now, in the third year, it suddenly stopped. It just won’t go.

Count—But my whole family deals here ... and all my friends ... and all my acquaintances.

Adele—Oh, yes, your excellency. We have you to thank for everything. Not only for setting us up in business, but for getting us most of our customers.

Count—I trust that Juhasz isn’t going into debt. [She nods in the affirmative.] I daresay he gives his neckties away for nothing. That’s why you are losing money.

Adele—He’d give the whole shop away, if it were left to him.

Count—He had the same weakness when he worked for me. Anybody could get anything out of him.

Adele—It’s largely his fault.

Count—And what about that young man you praised to me so highly? He was supposed to be a genius. A commercial genius. This ... what’s his name?... Oscar ... wasn’t it?

Adele—Oh, he does all he can, and so do I, but——

Count—And that nice Miss Paula ... she’s an industrious girl, what?

Adele—Your excellency’s favorite.

Count—I am enchanted with her. [Paula enters through the archway, with letters in her hand.]

Paula—[With a low bow.] Good evening, your excellency.

Count—Good evening. I was just talking about you.

Paula—Very good of you. Excuse me. [To Adele.] I was not mistaken, Mrs. Juhasz. Semlinger and Weiss offered us also twenty waterproof coats. We have never given them an answer. [Proffers the letter.]

Adele—[Impatiently.] Show it to Mr. Oscar.

Paula—I did. He referred me to you.

Adele—[Crossly.] We don’t want any waterproof coats.

Count—Why not? They are very useful things. They keep the rain out.

Adele—If your excellency would like to order one——

Count—Oh, indeed, no! I can’t bear waterproof coats. [Looks at Paula.] Miss Paula is smiling.... Doubtless she’s fond of waterproof coats.

Paula—I beg pardon.

Count—Why did you smile then? Just making fun of the old man?

Paula—Old man?... Oh!

Count—Well, not exactly old.

Paula—I smiled because your excellency has such an aversion for waterproof coats. But I never thought of you as old.

Adele—You may go, Miss Paula. [Paula bows to the count and exits through the archway.]

Counts—[His glance follows her.] Why are you so severe with that nice young girl?

Adele—She is a bit forward.

Count—Not at all.

Adele—She is deceitful. I can’t bear her. Ordinarily she is very glum and serious, but when your excellency puts your foot in the door she suddenly becomes brisk and cheerful.

Count—Really? I am flattered.

Juhasz—[Comes through the archway, carrying a jockey suit of brown silk striped in green.] I can’t get the cap-maker on the wire. Oscar is trying again. But here is the jockey suit.

Count—[Adjusts his glass.] Yes, this will do very well. Will you wrap it up for me, Juhasz? [Returns the suit to him.]

Oscar—[Rushes in through the archway, speaks rapidly, officiously.] Your excellency, good evening! We are in luck, your excellency. The caps are finished; he was going to send them to-morrow, but he can send them at once if your excellency prefers——

Count—[Stares at him in astonishment; turns to Juhasz.] What does he say?

Juhasz—The caps are ready. If your excellency will tell us where to send them——

Count—[Staring at Oscar.]—Eh? Yes ... wait a moment. [Paula appears in the archway; he smiles at her.] Yes.

Paula—Pardon me for interrupting.

Oscar—[Officiously.] Why don’t you come in when his excellency speaks to you?

Paula—[Comes nearer.] I only wanted to say the cap-maker telephoned again. I told him to send the caps. His man will be here with them in ten minutes.

Count—That was clever of you. Thanks very much.

Paula—Not at all, your excellency. [She exits through the archway.]

Count—[His glance has followed her until she vanished.] Well, then ... there was something I wanted to say.

Juhasz—Where you want the cap sent.

Count—Yes. Hm! Nowhere. I’m going to the casino ... my motor will pick me up there.... You keep the cap for me here. I’ll stop for it later.

Oscar—[Briskly.] Just as you say, sir. I’ll have it packed up for you at once. Excuse me, excellency. [Hurries off through the archway.]

Count—[Stares after him in amazement; does not speak until he is gone.] What an extraordinary fellow!

Juhasz—[With an apologetic smile.] He is always in a hurry.

Count—[Comes affectionately close to Juhasz.] Business bad, eh? [Juhasz looks quickly at Adele.] Yes, she told me.

Adele—I didn’t think we had any secrets from his——

Juhasz—From his excellency? No. But I don’t like to have you complain——

Count—She didn’t complain. She only answered my questions.

Juhasz—Well, there are a few difficulties, but ... we’ll overcome them somehow. We shan’t go into bankruptcy.

Count—I should hope not.

Juhasz—We’ve worked faithfully ... but one can’t expect the sun to shine all the time. There must be cloudy days, too. But they pass.

Count—[Affectionately.] I should be offended if my friend Juhasz were in trouble and didn’t tell me. Well? You must tell me.

Juhasz—No real trouble, your excellency. I have my health and a good little wife [takes her hand] who loves me.

Count—[To Adele, approvingly.] That’s right. Bravo!

Juhasz—And friends ... my smart and loyal Oscar. He is the heart and soul of the business.

Count—He seems a bit ... sudden.

Juhasz—And then there is Paula. She is the policeman of the business. Now, how can I possibly go wrong?

Count—Well, my dear Juhasz, I must be off. [As he shakes hands.] I can only tell you again what I told you once before, when you were in difficulties.... For fifteen years you sat at a desk in my castle at Gerelypuszta. I never had as good a man in my service before or since. It is true you wasted a lot of your time cultivating flowers, and at best you were never very energetic....

Juhasz—That is something one learns.

Count—Never, but that doesn’t matter. It is character that counts with me. That desk has been vacant three years now. I want you to know that, whatever happens, that place is open to you as long as Gerelypuszta belongs to me or my family.

Juhasz—Oh, your excellency!

Count—If I only had someone half as honest as you right now! We are beginning to export cheese on a large scale. Mostly to England.

Juhasz—Puszta cheese?

Count—Yes ... it has been a great success. London is mad about that cheese. And so am I. I took first prize with it in London and in Edinburgh, too. You have no idea how proud that made me.

Juhasz—I remember your first experiment with that cheese.

Count—But you’d never know it now. [With enthusiasm.] I succeeded in crossing two breeds: Camembert, that over-ripe beauty, with Roquefort, that sharp, sardonic old gentleman. And the child of that marriage I nurtured and reared with my own hands. So naturally I am proud of the career it is making for itself.... Well, I must be going. Remember, let nothing worry you. If everything else fails you: Gerelypuszta, Desk, Cheese! Good night!

Adele—Good night, your excellency.

Juhasz—[Opens the door.] See you later, excellency. [The Count exits. He closes the door.] You shouldn’t have complained to him, dear.

Adele—I didn’t. He asked me.

Juhasz—I don’t want to be put in a false position. He has done more for me already than my own father could have done.

Adele—[Hesitantly.] Well, now, Peter ... if you have a moment....

Juhasz—Certainly, my angel. I’m really curious to know what it is that’s agitating this [takes her head in his hands] precious little head. [Looks into her eyes.] See here! There are tears in your eyes! It isn’t anything serious?

Adele—Yes, Peter, it is serious ... very serious.

Juhasz—Well?

Adele—[Pulls a stool over for him.] Sit down here, Peter.

Juhasz—Serious as that? [He sits.]

Adele—There are two separate things I must talk to you about. And one is harder than the other.

Juhasz—Let us have the hardest first.

Adele—If you weren’t such a good man, it wouldn’t be half as difficult to tell you—— [She dries her eyes.]

Juhasz—There, there, my dear! I am sure you have done nothing you need to cry about.

Adele—It’s on your account I’m crying.

Juhasz—On my account?

Adele—Peter ... [Dries her eyes; collects herself.] Those different sums of money ... you gave me ... I made you give me ... these past three years ... because you are so foolish about money ... and can’t refuse anyone who asks you.... I told you I was putting the money in a savings bank.... Well, so I did.... You know it amounts to fifty-one thousand kronen.

Juhasz—I know.

Adele—I just found out from Oscar that there had been a meeting of your creditors, and that the lawyer came to see you.... You didn’t tell me.

Juhasz—No, dear.

Adele—You didn’t tell me because you were afraid I’d be worried. I know.... You offered the creditors this fifty-one thousand kronen on account of their claims if they would refrain from forcing you into bankruptcy ... and they accepted because they like you and trust you [bursts into tears] and know you are the best and most honest man in the world.

Juhasz—I asked Oscar not to say anything to you about it.

Adele—He was right to tell me. And now, Peter, it is terrible to have to say it straight to your face....

Juhasz—You spent some of the money. No matter, my child. Don’t let it worry you.

Adele—Oh, my God ... my God....

Juhasz—All the money isn’t worth this agitation. Tell me how much is gone. I’ll raise it somehow.

Adele—A great deal is gone.

Juhasz—How much? Whatever you spent, I’m sure you did it for the best.

Adele—Peter ... forgive me ... it is all gone.

Juhasz—All?

Adele—All. There isn’t a heller left.... Peter ... [Weeping.] Kill me. I have ruined you. [A brief pause.]

Juhasz—My dear ... really ... it doesn’t matter.... I thought God knows what had happened ... but if that’s all....

Adele—Don’t try to make light of it, Peter. I know perfectly well that what the lawyer told you was the creditors’ very last offer. But when I found that out, it was too late. The money was gone.

Juhasz—Now you mustn’t cry. It’s childish to take the thing so much to heart. Everything will be all right. The lawyer’s heart isn’t made of stone.

Adele—[Weeping.] All lawyers’ hearts are made of stone.

Juhasz—We’ll have a nice little talk with him. My money is your money, isn’t it? It’s all my fault, anyway. Why didn’t I save the money myself?... You had a perfect right to spend it. Kiss me, and tell what else is troubling you.

Adele—[Kisses him.] You are so good!

Juhasz—Well now, out with the other calamity.

Adele—That is much harder.

Juhasz—No matter, my dear. It won’t be as bad as you suppose.

Adele—You know that I have always been a faithful wife to you.... We have no children ... and ours wasn’t exactly a love marriage ... but all my affections were yours. [Juhasz takes her hand.] In the whole three years I never looked at or thought of another man ... and that is precisely why it’s so hard for me now.... If I weren’t a respectable woman, it would be easy ... but I simply can’t deceive a man like you.... I can’t.... [A brief pause.]

Juhasz—You love ... someone else. [She only nods. He utters the word for her softly, thoughtfully.] Yes. [There is a pause.]

Adele—I respect you too much to let you go on believing for a single moment.... [Another pause.]

Juhasz—You don’t love me any more.

Adele—I do care for you, but....

Juhasz—But you love someone else.

Adele—I love you like a brother ... you know yourself I never loved your body ... only your soul.... It was always a struggle for me ... but now that I love another ... I must tell you.

Juhasz—This comes ... so suddenly.... I—I—— [Adele sobs.] You poor, dear child.... It’s only a sort of illness.... It will pass.... Every wife goes through such a crisis ... some time or another.... And I’ll help you through it.... I’ll be as gentle and tactful as I can.... And before you know it, you’ll have forgotten all about it ... and come to your senses ... and be the same happy, contented Adele you used to be.... My good, loyal Adele, I don’t know how another man would act in my place ... but this is how I feel.... But there! Are you crying again?

Adele—It’s unbearable how good you are!

Juhasz—Shouldn’t I have said that?

Adele—Peter ... this isn’t just a passing fancy, as you suppose. I not only love this man....

Juhasz—What else?

Adele—I want to belong to him. [A pause.]

Juhasz—That is ... more serious. [Takes an aimless pace or two, sits down, puts his head in his hands.] When you said that ... I felt so ... lonely ... all of a sudden.

[A delivery boy enters at the door. He carries three big packages and a rocking-horse.]

Delivery Boy—Mr. Peter Juhasz?

Juhasz—[Goes to him.] Yes, yes. From the toy store?... All right, my son, just put them down. [Gives the boy a tip; calls.] Adolf!

Delivery Boy—Thank you, sir. Good night. [The boy exits at the door. Adolf enters through the archway.]

Juhasz—For your little boy’s birthday to-morrow. A horse, a steamship and an automobile. And this is for your little girl, so that she won’t feel slighted.

Adolf—[Tries to kiss his hand.] Oh, thank you ... thank you, sir!

Juhasz—Yes, yes. Take them away.... Or, wait! Leave the steamship here a moment. I’ll have to show you how it works.... The automobile is quite simple, but the ship has a rather complicated mechanism.... I’ll explain it to you before I go home. [Adolf puts the steamship under the down-stage end of the counter at right, then exits through the archway with the remaining packages. Juhasz turns to Adele.] Forgive me.... My god-son, you know.

Adele—[Who has been weeping silently.] Peter, if you only knew how sorry I am.

Juhasz—I’m afraid I made it harder for you ... but I have a headache ... and everything came at once.... I’m sorry ... but you were a bit cruel.

Adele—Kill me, Peter.

Juhasz—But you were honest with me ... you couldn’t be anything else. And yet I think it would have been less painful to me ... if you had simply betrayed me.

Adele—I can’t betray you, Peter. I respect you too much. [Weeping.] Don’t ask me to do that.

Juhasz—You want to become another man’s wife. How can I prevent you? Go, if you must. He is surely a better man than——

Adele—No, no!

Juhasz—But you are leaving me for him.

Adele—You are a much better man ... and yet ... I can’t explain——

Juhasz—Younger, better looking....

Adele—Do you know who it is?

Juhasz—I don’t want to know.

Adele—I don’t want to hurt you again ... but you must soon find out.

Juhasz—Soon find out? [A brief pause.]

Adele—Oscar.

Juhasz—Oscar ... our Oscar?

Adele—Yes. [A pause.]

Juhasz—So that ... so that....

Adele—[Ardently.] I love him, Peter, and he adores me. And we are leaving the city.... You will never hear of us again.

Juhasz—Oscar....

Adele—All the time we’ve been here together, like one big family, we could have done things behind your back. But a man like you.... We couldn’t bring ourselves to deceive you. Oscar couldn’t either. He loves you like a brother.

Juhasz—I know ... you are both devoted to me.

Adele—We are going to Berlin. There a new life awaits us ... but that’s something you can’t understand, because there is no spirit of adventure in you.... To escape from this cage ... out into the wide world ... to try our luck ... and find wealth, perhaps ... and power.... Let me call him in!

Juhasz—If you like.

Adele—He is so fond of you. [Runs to the archway.] Oscar! [Comes down stage again.] It grieves him so.... [Oscar enters through the archway, slowly, sadly. Up stage, between the two counters, he pauses.]

Oscar—Does he know everything?

Adele—Yes.

Oscar—Peter, this moment had to come.

Juhasz—Never mind that, my son.

Oscar—[Begins rhetorically.] From first to last our conduct has been irreproachable——

Juhasz—It’s my own conduct I’m thinking about, not yours.

Oscar—I see you intend to act nobly.

Juhasz—Nobly?

Oscar—Or else you would kill both of us.

Juhasz—Please! I don’t want to stand in your way. I don’t know how another man would act in my place, but——

Oscar and Adele—[Simultaneously.] The same! Just the same!

Juhasz—But it’s the way I feel.

Oscar—You are the best ... the best ... the best.... [Suddenly kisses his hand.]

Juhasz—Have you gone mad?

Oscar—Pardon me. Before we part forever there is one promise I want to make you on my sacred word of honor. I’ll send you back that money the very first day I get it. Not a day later.

Adele—[Quickly; embarrassed.] I couldn’t tell you before.... I had hoped you’d understand. I didn’t spend the fifty-one thousand kronen myself.... I gave them to Oscar.

Oscar—[Quickly.] That is, not for me, but for a little enterprise in Berlin in which I have bought an interest. A little shop of which I—that is, we—are to be one-fourth owners. Steger and Company! Steger—that’s Steger. And the Company—that’s me.... At first I thought of putting up my own name instead of Company, but as long as Adele got the money I decided it would be only fair to say Company, and that includes her too....

Juhasz—She gave the money to you?

Oscar—I didn’t want it for myself. My God, I can live on bread and water. But I couldn’t ask Adele to share the uncertain existence of a shop clerk.... That would have been, if I may say so, unscrupulous of me. I had to provide for her future.

Juhasz—If she gave you the money, it’s yours.

Oscar—I considered that I owed it to you to provide for her future decently. You would have every right to despise me if I hadn’t.

Juhasz—I must admit ... you managed things cleverly.

Oscar—[In an injured tone.] What do you mean by that? I did everything honestly and above board. [Takes Adele’s hand.] Our relations couldn’t have been purer if we were two children.

Juhasz—[A bit sharply.] Please! I forbid you to discuss that. She is still my wife. There is no question about her purity here.

Oscar—[Aggressively.] I might have known you would take that tone. [Philip appears in the archway.]

Philip—You are wanted on the telephone, Mr. Juhasz.

Juhasz—Coming. [He exits through the archway; Philip lets him pass, looks frigidly at Adele and Oscar, then exits too.]

Adele—[Suddenly.] What did you shout at him for?

Oscar—I know what I’m doing. Just you cry ... and let me shout. Now hurry and get ready. He’s taken it much too hard to suit me. Where’s your hat?

Adele—But I’ve got to say good-bye to——

Oscar—Get your hat when I tell you to! I know what I’m talking about. Have some consideration for my weak heart, and don’t get me excited. [Juhasz re-enters.]

Juhasz—[Sees the hat in Adele’s hand.] It was your sister. She wanted to know whether we could come to supper to-night. I told her ... that ... I didn’t know.

Oscar—Adele is going to her mother’s.

Juhasz—Right now?

Oscar—Right now. [There is a pause.]

Juhasz—Then ... it’s to-night ... you’re leaving?

Oscar—We have decided ... as long as everything is settled ... that Adele hadn’t better go to your house any more. That would only make it harder for you ... and we would like to ... spare you ... all we can.

Adele—It’s your feelings we are considering....

Juhasz—You are right. That would be best.

Adele—I’m going to mother’s, and Oscar goes to Berlin to-morrow. And we shan’t see each other again until after the divorce is granted.

Oscar—We mean to do what’s correct ... everything correct. We owe that much to you. And, on my word of honor, you’ll get your money back as soon as I have it. I shan’t wait for profits. No; I’ll send it to you out of the first money we take in. Without a moment’s delay. Here’s my hand on it.

Juhasz—[Waving away the proffered hand.] That’s all right. I don’t think you’d lie to me now.

Oscar—You know me better than that.

Juhasz—[To Adele, who has put on her things.] Then ... we shan’t see each other ... for a long ... for a long time.... Perhaps never.

Oscar—[Uneasily.] Don’t say that. It’s not fair to say that. If ever you are in Berlin, consider our home your own.

Juhasz—Thank you.

Oscar—And let’s not prolong our leavetakings. I’ve got to consider my weak heart. Excitement is bad for me.

Adele—Good-bye, Peter. Will you kiss me?

Oscar—Kiss her. She’s worthy of it. [Turns away and dries his eyes.]

Juhasz—[Kisses her.] Don’t cry, Adele.... I suppose it had to be ... but not one woman in a thousand would have acted as you have acted.... There! Lift up your head and smile at me.... You were a good wife to me ... and now you are my very good friend. [Adele nods.] Shall I see you as far as your mother’s house?

Adele—No.... I’ll take a cab. Good-bye, Peter. [She nods silently to Oscar and passes swiftly through the door. There is a brief pause.]

Oscar—Only one word more, Peter, about a matter of business, and then we can shake hands and part. I had a talk with the lawyer to-day——

Juhasz—But, please——

Oscar—I couldn’t go away and let them throw you into bankruptcy. [Hands him a document.] Here is the agreement. Read it over when you get home. It stipulates that, in consideration of your unquestionable integrity, your creditors agree not to file a petition in bankruptcy against you, but to wait six months longer ... for the fifty-one thousand kronen you lent me.

Juhasz—Lent you? Yes, that’s right.

Oscar—And which I will return to you ... my word of honor ... maybe in two weeks, maybe not for three months, but certainly within six months. My word of honor!

Juhasz—[Turning the document over helplessly.] Yes.

Oscar—But your creditors make one stipulation. Until the fifty-one thousand is paid to them, they want a receiver to run the business instead of you.

Juhasz—Receiver?

Oscar—It’s wrong, I know ... but in some ways the creditors are right.... You are too easy with people who owe you money ... and with the people who work for you.... You are not businesslike.... What this place needs is a strong hand.... They tried to get me to take charge, but I.... Of course they didn’t know anything about.... I only said I was leaving the country.... Well, the main thing is that on the day you pay the fifty-one thousand kronen the business is yours again.

Juhasz—And this ... receiver?... When does he take charge?

Oscar—On the day I leave.

Juhasz—You said you were leaving to-morrow.

Oscar—Yes.

Juhasz—Well, then——

Oscar—To-morrow morning at eight the receiver will be here.

Juhasz—Then the shop doesn’t belong to me any more ... and I may as well stay home to-morrow morning.

Oscar—What’s the use of exaggerating like that? Certainly you can come to-morrow.

Juhasz—As a clerk in my own shop?

Oscar—Can I help it? Didn’t I do everything I could? Didn’t I run around seeing people and making arrangements? [More and more resentfully.] I didn’t expect any thanks for it, but you needn’t look at me that way. As for the money, my word of honor——

Juhasz—I know.

Oscar—[Takes his hand.] Good luck! [Points to the archway.] I’m going that way. I shan’t even walk the same street as Adele until the divorce is granted. [In the archway.] Don’t look at me like that! [Emotionally.] I had to provide for her future, hadn’t I? [He exits. Juhasz is left alone. He looks at the document, crumples it into his pocket, glances around the shop, then sits down near the counter, at right, staring vacantly. Paula enters through the archway, a letter in her hand.]

Juhasz—You still here, Paula?

Paula—About those waterproof coats, Mr. Juhasz. Mr. Oscar referred me to your wife [notices that Adele is not there; pauses]—and she said we didn’t want any waterproof coats, but I think we really should order a few. [Waits for his answer.]

Juhasz—[Lost in thought, still staring absently.] Yes. [A pause.]

Paula—Shall I order some, Mr. Juhasz?

Juhasz—[Looks up at her.] What? Oh, yes.

Paula—About a dozen? [A pause.]

Juhasz—Paula—— [He rises.] The fact is that from to-morrow on the shop doesn’t belong to me.

Paula—Doesn’t belong to you?