ADELE—There are two separate things I must talk to you about. And one is
harder than the other.
JUHASZ—Let us have the hardest first.
ADELE—If you weren’t such a good man, it wouldn’t be half as difficult to
tell you—— [_She dries her eyes._]
JUHASZ—There, there, my dear! I am sure you have done nothing you need to
cry about.
ADELE—It’s on your account I’m crying.
JUHASZ—On my account?
ADELE—Peter ... [_Dries her eyes; collects herself._] Those different
sums of money ... you gave me ... I made you give me ... these past three
years ... because you are so foolish about money ... and can’t refuse
anyone who asks you.... I told you I was putting the money in a savings
bank.... Well, so I did.... You know it amounts to fifty-one thousand
kronen.
JUHASZ—I know.
ADELE—I just found out from Oscar that there had been a meeting of your
creditors, and that the lawyer came to see you.... You didn’t tell me.
JUHASZ—No, dear.
ADELE—You didn’t tell me because you were afraid I’d be worried. I
know.... You offered the creditors this fifty-one thousand kronen on
account of their claims if they would refrain from forcing you into
bankruptcy ... and they accepted because they like you and trust you
[_bursts into tears_] and know you are the best and most honest man in
the world.
JUHASZ—I asked Oscar not to say anything to you about it.
ADELE—He was right to tell me. And now, Peter, it is terrible to have to
say it straight to your face....
JUHASZ—You spent some of the money. No matter, my child. Don’t let it
worry you.
ADELE—Oh, my God ... my God....
JUHASZ—All the money isn’t worth this agitation. Tell me how much is
gone. I’ll raise it somehow.
ADELE—A great deal is gone.
JUHASZ—How much? Whatever you spent, I’m sure you did it for the best.
ADELE—Peter ... forgive me ... it is all gone.
JUHASZ—All?
ADELE—All. There isn’t a heller left.... Peter ... [_Weeping._] Kill me.
I have ruined you. [_A brief pause._]
JUHASZ—My dear ... really ... it doesn’t matter.... I thought God knows
what had happened ... but if that’s all....
ADELE—Don’t try to make light of it, Peter. I know perfectly well that
what the lawyer told you was the creditors’ very last offer. But when I
found that out, it was too late. The money was gone.
JUHASZ—Now you mustn’t cry. It’s childish to take the thing so much to
heart. Everything will be all right. The lawyer’s heart isn’t made of
stone.
ADELE—[_Weeping._] All lawyers’ hearts are made of stone.
JUHASZ—We’ll have a nice little talk with him. My money is your money,
isn’t it? It’s all my fault, anyway. Why didn’t I save the money
myself?... You had a perfect right to spend it. Kiss me, and tell what
else is troubling you.
ADELE—[_Kisses him._] You are so good!
JUHASZ—Well now, out with the other calamity.
ADELE—That is much harder.
JUHASZ—No matter, my dear. It won’t be as bad as you suppose.
ADELE—You know that I have always been a faithful wife to you.... We
have no children ... and ours wasn’t exactly a love marriage ... but
all my affections were yours. [_JUHASZ takes her hand._] In the whole
three years I never looked at or thought of another man ... and that is
precisely why it’s so hard for me now.... If I weren’t a respectable
woman, it would be easy ... but I simply can’t deceive a man like you....
I can’t.... [_A brief pause._]
JUHASZ—You love ... someone else. [_She only nods. He utters the word for
her softly, thoughtfully._] Yes. [_There is a pause._]
ADELE—I respect you too much to let you go on believing for a single
moment.... [_Another pause._]
JUHASZ—You don’t love me any more.
ADELE—I do care for you, but....
JUHASZ—But you love someone else.
ADELE—I love _you_ like a brother ... you know yourself I never loved
your body ... only your soul.... It was always a struggle for me ... but
now that I love another ... I must tell you.
JUHASZ—This comes ... so suddenly.... I—I—— [_ADELE sobs._] You poor,
dear child.... It’s only a sort of illness.... It will pass.... Every
wife goes through such a crisis ... some time or another.... And I’ll
help you through it.... I’ll be as gentle and tactful as I can.... And
before you know it, you’ll have forgotten all about it ... and come to
your senses ... and be the same happy, contented Adele you used to be....
My good, loyal Adele, I don’t know how another man would act in my place
... but this is how I feel.... But there! Are you crying again?
ADELE—It’s unbearable how good you are!
JUHASZ—Shouldn’t I have said that?
ADELE—Peter ... this isn’t just a passing fancy, as you suppose. I not
only love this man....
JUHASZ—What else?