He Who Gets Slapped Part 30

HE

I am.

CONSUELO

[_Laughing_]: You see! [_Sits down._] Foolish HE.

HE

I see everything, my Queen. I see how beautiful you are, and how low under your feet your poor court fool is lying. Somewhere in the abyss his little bells are ringing. He kneels before you and prays; forgive and pity him, my divine one. He was too impudent; he played so cheerfully that he went too far and lost his tiny little mind, the last bit of understanding he had saved up. Forgive me!

CONSUELO

All right. I forgive you. [_Laughs._] And now will you allow me to marry the Baron?

HE

[_Also laughing_]: And nevertheless I will not allow it. But what does a queen care about the permission of her enamoured fool?

CONSUELO

Get up. You are forgiven. And do you know why? You think because of your words? You are a cunning beast, HE! No, because of the _sandwiches_.

That's why. You were so lovely, you panted so when you brought them.

Poor darling HE. From to-morrow you may be at my feet again. And as soon as I whistle, "tuwhooo"----

HE

I shall instantly lie down at thy feet, Consuelo. It is settled! But all my little bells fell off to-day and----

[_Bezano appears, confused._]

CONSUELO

Alfred! You came for me?

BEZANO

Yes. Will you work some more, Consuelo?

CONSUELO

Certainly. As much as you want. But I thought, Alfred, you were mad at me? I shan't dawdle any more.

BEZANO

No. You didn't dawdle. Don't be offended, because I yelled so much. You know when one has to teach, and----

CONSUELO

My goodness, do you think I don't understand? You are too nice, unbearably nice, to like teaching such a fool as me. Do you think I don't understand? Come on!

BEZANO

Come on! h.e.l.lo, HE! I haven't seen you yet to-day. How are you?

HE

How are you, Bezano? Wait, wait a minute--stay here a minute, both of you--that way. Yes!

[CONSUELO _and_ BEZANO _stand side by side, the jockey scowling_, CONSUELO _laughing and flus.h.i.+ng_.]

CONSUELO

Like Adam and Eve? How foolish you are! Terribly. [_She runs away._] I shall only change my slippers, Alfred.

HE

Consuelo! And how about Father and the Baron? They will come soon, to take you with them.

CONSUELO

Let them come. They can wait. Not very important people. [_Runs away._ BEZANO _hesitatingly follows her_.]

HE

Stay here for a while, Bezano. Sit down.

BEZANO

What more do you want? I have no time for your nonsense.

HE

You can remain standing if you want. Bezano--you love her? [_Silence._]

BEZANO

I shall allow n.o.body to interfere with my affairs. You allow yourself too many liberties, HE. I don't know you. You came from the street, and why should I trust you?

HE

But you know the Baron? Listen. It is painful for me to p.r.o.nounce these words: she loves you. Save her from the spider! Or are you blind, and don't see the web, which is woven in every dark corner. Get out of the vicious circle in which you are turning around, like a blind man. Take her away, steal her, do what you want ... kill her even, and take her to the heavens or to the devil! But don't give her to this man! He is a defiler of love. And if you are timid, if you are afraid to lift your hand against her--kill the Baron! Kill!

BEZANO

[_With a smile_]: And who will kill the others, to come?

HE