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.