Magda Part 16

MAGDA.

What do you think of me? Do you think I am as free as I appear? I'm a weary, worn-out drudge who is only fortunate when the lash is on her back.

SCHWARTZE.

Whose drudge? What lash?

MAGDA.

That I can't explain, dear father. You don't know my life. You probably wouldn't understand it, either. Every day, every hour has its work laid out. Ah, well, now I must go back to the hotel.

MARIE.

No, Magda, no.

MAGDA.

Yes, puss, yes. There have been six or seven men there for ever so long, waiting for an audience. But I tell you what, I must have you to-night. Can't you sleep with me?

SCHWARTZE.

Of course. That is--what do you mean--sleep where?

MAGDA.

At the hotel.

SCHWARTZE.

What? You won't stay! You'll put such an affront on us?

MAGDA.

What are you thinking of? I have a whole retinue with me.

SCHWARTZE.

Your father's house is the place for this retinue.

MAGDA.

I don't know. It is rather lively. First, there's Bobo, my parrot, a darling,--he wouldn't be bad; then my pet maid, Giulietta, a little demon,--I can't live without her; then my courier,--he's a tyrant, and the terror of landlords; and then we mustn't forget my teacher.

FRANZISKA.

He's a very old man, I hope.

MAGDA.

No, he's a very young man.

SCHWARTZE.

[_After a silence_.] Then you must have forgotten your--your _dame d'honneur_.

MAGDA.

What _dame d'honneur_?

SCHWARTZE.

You can't travel about from country to country with a young man without--

MAGDA.

Ah! does that disquiet you? I can,--be quite easy,--I can. In my world we don't trouble ourselves about such things.

SCHWARTZE.

What world is that?

MAGDA.

The world I rule, father dear. I have no other. There, whatever I do is right because I do it.

SCHWARTZE.

That is an enviable position. But you are still young. There must be cases when some direction--in short, whose advice do you follow in your transactions?

MAGDA.

There is no one who has the right to advise me, papa dear.

SCHWARTZE.

Well, my child, from this hour your old father claims that right.

Theresa! [Theresa _answers from outside_.] Go to the German House and bring the baggage--

MAGDA.

[_Entreatingly_.] Pardon, father dear, you forget that my orders are necessary.

SCHWARTZE.

What?--Yes, yes, I forgot. Do what you will, my daughter.

MARIE.