COUNT—She didn’t complain. She only answered my questions.
JUHASZ—Well, there are a few difficulties, but ... we’ll overcome them
somehow. We shan’t go into bankruptcy.
COUNT—I should hope not.
JUHASZ—We’ve worked faithfully ... but one can’t expect the sun to shine
all the time. There must be cloudy days, too. But they pass.
COUNT—[_Affectionately._] I should be offended if my friend Juhasz were
in trouble and didn’t tell me. Well? You must tell me.
JUHASZ—No real trouble, your excellency. I have my health and a good
little wife [_takes her hand_] who loves me.
COUNT—[_To ADELE, approvingly._] That’s right. Bravo!
JUHASZ—And friends ... my smart and loyal Oscar. He is the heart and soul
of the business.
COUNT—He seems a bit ... sudden.
JUHASZ—And then there is Paula. She is the policeman of the business.
Now, how can I possibly go wrong?
COUNT—Well, my dear Juhasz, I must be off. [_As he shakes hands._] I
can only tell you again what I told you once before, when you were in
difficulties.... For fifteen years you sat at a desk in my castle at
Gerelypuszta. I never had as good a man in my service before or since. It
is true you wasted a lot of your time cultivating flowers, and at best
you were never very energetic....
JUHASZ—That is something one learns.
COUNT—Never, but that doesn’t matter. It is character that counts with
me. That desk has been vacant three years now. I want you to know that,
whatever happens, that place is open to you as long as Gerelypuszta
belongs to me or my family.
JUHASZ—Oh, your excellency!
COUNT—If I only had someone half as honest as you right now! We are
beginning to export cheese on a large scale. Mostly to England.
JUHASZ—Puszta cheese?
COUNT—Yes ... it has been a great success. London is mad about that
cheese. And so am I. I took first prize with it in London and in
Edinburgh, too. You have no idea how proud that made me.
JUHASZ—I remember your first experiment with that cheese.
COUNT—But you’d never know it now. [_With enthusiasm._] I succeeded in
crossing two breeds: Camembert, that over-ripe beauty, with Roquefort,
that sharp, sardonic old gentleman. And the child of that marriage I
nurtured and reared with my own hands. So naturally I am proud of the
career it is making for itself.... Well, I must be going. Remember, let
nothing worry you. If everything else fails you: Gerelypuszta, Desk,
Cheese! Good night!
ADELE—Good night, your excellency.
JUHASZ—[_Opens the door._] See you later, excellency. [_The COUNT exits.
He closes the door._] You shouldn’t have complained to him, dear.
ADELE—I didn’t. He asked me.
JUHASZ—I don’t want to be put in a false position. He has done more for
me already than my own father could have done.
ADELE—[_Hesitantly._] Well, now, Peter ... if you have a moment....
JUHASZ—Certainly, my angel. I’m really curious to know what it is that’s
agitating this [_takes her head in his hands_] precious little head.
[_Looks into her eyes._] See here! There are tears in your eyes! It isn’t
anything serious?
ADELE—Yes, Peter, it is serious ... very serious.
JUHASZ—Well?
ADELE—[_Pulls a stool over for him._] Sit down here, Peter.