He Who Gets Slapped Part 28

[_Making a ceremonious bow_]: I shall follow after you, my incomparable one. I shall carry the train of your dress and wipe away my tears with it. [_Pretends to cry._]

MANCINI

Idiot! [_Laughs._] How sorry I am, HE, that those wonderful times have pa.s.sed, when, in the court of the Counts Mancini, there were scores of motley fools who were given gold and kicks.... Now, Mancini is compelled to go to this dirty circus in order to see a good fool; and still, whose fool is he? Mine? No. He belongs to everybody who pays a franc. We shall very soon be unable to breathe because of Democracy. Democracy, too, needs fools! Think of it, HE; what an unexampled impertinence.

HE

We are the servants of those who pay. But how can we help it, Count?

MANCINI

But is that not sad? Imagine: we are in my castle. I, near the fireplace with my gla.s.s of wine, you, at my feet chatting your nonsense, jingling your little bells--diverting me. Sometimes you pinch me too with your jokes: it is allowed by the traditions and necessary for the circulation of the blood. After a while--I am sick of you, I want another one....

Then I give you a kick and.... Ah, HE, how wonderful it would be!

HE

It would be marvellous, Mancini!

MANCINI

Yes. Certainly! You would be getting gold coins, those wonderfully little yellow things.... Well, when I become rich, I shall take you.

That's settled.

CONSUELO

Take him, Father....

HE

And when the count, tired of my chattering, will give me a kick with his Highness's foot, then I shall lie down at the little feet of my queen, and shall....

CONSUELO

[_Laughing_]: Wait for another kick? I'm finished. Father, give me your handkerchief, I want to wipe my hands. You have another one in your pocket. Oh, my goodness, I must work some more!

MANCINI

[_Uneasy_]: But don't forget, my child!

CONSUELO

No, to-day I won't forget! Go on!

MANCINI

[_Looking at his watch_]: Yes, it is time.... He asked me to come over when you were ready. You must change your dress before I come back.

[_Laughing._] _Signori, miei complimenti._

[_He goes out, playing with his cane._ CONSUELO _sits on the corner of the divan, and covers herself with her shawl_.]

CONSUELO

h.e.l.lo, HE! Come and lie down at my feet, and tell me something cheerful.... You know, when you paint the laughter on your face, you are very good looking, but now, too, you are very, very nice. Come on, HE, why don't you lie down?

HE

Consuelo! Are you going to marry the Baron?

CONSUELO

[_Indifferently_]: It seems so. The Baron is hanging by a thread! HE, there is one little sandwich left. Eat it.

HE

Thank you, my queen. [_Eats._] And do you remember my prediction?

CONSUELO

What prediction? How quickly you swallow! Does it taste good?

HE

Very good. That if you marry the Baron, you....

CONSUELO

Oh, that's what you're talking about.... But you were making fun.

HE

n.o.body can tell, my Queen. Sometimes one makes fun, and suddenly it turns out to be true; the stars never talk in vain. If sometimes it is difficult for a human being to open his mouth and to say a word, how difficult it must be for a star. Think of it.

CONSUELO

[_Laughing_]: I should say. Such a mouth! [_Makes a tiny mouth._]

HE

No, my dear little girl, were I in your place, I would think it over.

And suppose suddenly you should die? Don't marry the Baron, Consuelo!

CONSUELO

[_Thinking_]: And what is--death?

HE

I do not know, my Queen. n.o.body knows. Like love! n.o.body knows. But your little hands will become cold, and your dear little eyes will be closed.

You will be away from here. And the music will play without you, and without you the crazy Bezano will be galloping, and Tilly and Polly will be playing on their pipes without you: tilly-polly, tilly-polly ...