He Who Gets Slapped Part 29

tilly-tilly, polly-polly....

CONSUELO

Please don't, HE darling---- I am so sad, anyway ... tilly-tilly, polly-polly ... [_Silence. HE looks at_ CONSUELO.]

HE

You were crying, my little Consuelo?

CONSUELO

Yes, a little. Alfred made me nervous. But tell me, is it my fault that I can't do anything to-day? I tried to, but I couldn't.

HE

Why?

CONSUELO

Ah, I don't know. There is something here. [_Presses her hand against her heart._] I don't know. HE, I must be sick. What is sickness? Does it hurt very much?

HE

It is not sickness. It is the charm of the far off stars, Consuelo. It is the voice of your fate, my little Queen.

CONSUELO

Don't talk nonsense, please. What should the stars care about me? I am so small. Nonsense, HE! Tell me rather another tale which you know: about the blue sea and those G.o.ds, you know ... who are so beautiful.

Did they all die?

HE

They are all alive, but they hide themselves, my G.o.ddess.

CONSUELO

In the woods or mountains? Can one come across them? Ah, imagine HE ...

I come across a G.o.d, and he suddenly takes a look at me! I'd run away.

[_Laughs._] This morning when I went without breakfast, I became so sad, so disgusted, and I thought: if a G.o.d should come, and give me something to eat! And as I thought it, I suddenly heard, honestly it's true, I heard: "Consuelo, somebody's calling you." [_Angrily._] Don't you dare laugh!

HE

Am I laughing?

CONSUELO

Honestly, it's true. Ah, HE, but he didn't come. He only called me and disappeared, and how can you find him? It hurt me so much, and hurts even now. Why did you remind me of my childhood? I'd forgotten it entirely. There was the sea ... and something ... many, many [_closes her eyes, smiling._]

HE

Remember, Consuelo.

CONSUELO

No. [_Opening her eyes_] I forget everything about it. [_Looks around the room._] HE, do you see what a poster they made for my benefit performance? It's Father's idea. The Baron liked it. [_HE laughs.

Silence._]

HE

[_Slowly_] Consuelo, my Queen! Don't go to the Baron to-day.

CONSUELO

Why? [_After a silence._] How fresh you are, HE.

HE

[_Lowering his head, slowly_]: I don't want it.

CONSUELO

[_Getting up_]: What? You don't want it?

HE

[_Bowing his head still lower_]: I do not want you to marry the Baron [_Imploring._] I ... I shall not allow it ... I beg you!

CONSUELO

Whom, then, would you ask me to marry? You, perhaps, you fool? [_With a rancorous laugh_] Are you crazy, my darling? "I shall not allow." HE!

HE will not allow me! But it is unbearable! What business is it of yours? [_Walking up and down the room, looks over her shoulder at HE, with anger._] Some fool clown, whom they can kick out of here any minute. You make me sick with your stupid tales. Or you like slaps so much. Fool, you couldn't invent anything better than a slap!

HE

[_Without lifting his head_]: Forgive me, my Queen.

CONSUELO

He is glad when they laugh at him. Some G.o.d! No, I shan't forgive. I know you. [_Makes same gesture as_ MANCINI.] You have something there!

Laughs ... so nicely ... plays, plays, and then suddenly--hop! _Obey him!_ No, darling, I am not that kind! Carry my train, that is your business--fool!

HE

I shall carry your train, my Queen. Forgive me. Give me back the image of my beautiful, piteous G.o.ddess.

CONSUELO

[_Quieting down_]: You're playing again?