COUNT—Well, what is it? Things going wrong after all?
JUHASZ—Not exactly wrong, excellency. I suppose everything that happens
is for the best. But just a while ago your excellency was kind enough to
repeat what you had often said before.... [_Pushes a stool toward him._]
Please sit down.
COUNT—[_Sits._] Well?
JUHASZ—That desk at Gerelypuszta ... which ... was always open to me.
COUNT—Yes, yes. What of it?
JUHASZ—Well, I’d like to go back to that desk.
COUNT—How’s that? In the last ten minutes you’ve....
JUHASZ—In the last ten minutes.
COUNT—That is very interesting. [_Looks around._] Where is your wife?
JUHASZ—That’s just it, your excellency.
COUNT—I don’t understand.
JUHASZ—My wife is going to divorce me and marry Oscar. The business is
to be taken over by a receiver to-morrow morning. And here I stand, all
alone in the world and free as a bird.
COUNT—[_Jovially._] My dear Juhasz, you are not a bird, you are now
general manager ... or no ... general director of the Gerelypuszta Cheese
Exporting Company.
JUHASZ—Your excellency’s generosity is boundless.
COUNT—The excellence of Gerelypuszta cheese is boundless, and my luck is
boundless to get you back again. Juhasz, I wouldn’t trust my own brother
with that cheese ... but I’ll trust you with it.
JUHASZ—I shall be very happy if....
COUNT—I shall be happy. When can you come? Drive down with me to-night.
JUHASZ—Excellency, my things, my house....
COUNT—How soon _can_ you come?
JUHASZ—Well ... perhaps the end of this week ... or the beginning of next.
COUNT—The sooner the better. You can’t come soon enough to suit me.
[_Rises._] I congratulate myself. [_PAULA enters through the archway._]
Now we will organize things on a big scale, Juhasz. We shall become an
international enterprise. Gerelypuszta Cheeses, Ltd.!... And as to my
neighbor and competitor, Baron Goldberger, we’ll settle him!... But, my
dear friend, how selfish of me! I forgot all about your troubles.
JUHASZ—And I forgot all about your caps, excellency. [_Starts to go._]
Excuse me a moment.
PAULA—The caps just came. Philip is wrapping them up.
JUHASZ—One is to go in with that jockey suit. [_He exits through the
archway. There is a pause._]
COUNT—Well, Miss Paula, what do you think of it?
PAULA—It’s a gorgeous red, your excellency.
COUNT—What is?
PAULA—The cap.
COUNT—You little rogue! You know very well I mean this ... er ...
domestic tragedy.
PAULA—What _can_ I think of it, your excellency? [_Comes nearer to him._]
I know what it means to _me_. I’ve lost my job.
COUNT—How’s that? Can’t you stay on with the new boss?
PAULA—I suppose I could, but mother wouldn’t dream of letting me.... She
only let me work for Mr. Juhasz because he has been a sort of second
father to me. But I know she won’t let me stay under any other boss....
And I haven’t the heart to oppose mother’s wishes. The poor dear is so
ill, and she has trouble enough with my wild brother.
COUNT—[_Who has been studying her appraisingly._] Too bad! I shall be
sorry not to see you any more.
PAULA—Oh, your excellency!
COUNT—But even if you were staying on, I shouldn’t come here any more....
I only came on Juhasz’s account.
PAULA—We all know that, your excellency.
COUNT—Yes. And yet I am really sorry I shan’t be seeing you any more.
PAULA—Oh, your excellency!
COUNT—It was always a great pleasure to see you ... when I happened to
come in.
PAULA—Your excellency embarrasses me.
COUNT—May I make a parting confession? Often I came only for the
privilege of seeing you and exchanging a few casual words with you.
To-day, for instance. Though you did make fun of me.
PAULA—I didn’t, your excellency.
COUNT—Because I am an old boy.... But all is not old that glitters. Why,
my heart feels seventeen when I see you.
PAULA—But, your excellency!
COUNT—Oh, let’s drop that “excellency”! [_PHILIP enters through the
archway, drying his hands._]
PAULA—[_Unaware of PHILIP’S presence._] You mustn’t think I consider you
old.
COUNT—Now ... don’t pretend!
PAULA—Your white hair ... is one of your most attractive features....
If you only knew ... how odious young men are ... compared with an
aristocratic, middle-aged gentleman like.... Oh, your excellency, I beg
pardon.... I’ll go and get your package. [_Makes a movement toward the
archway._]
COUNT—Wait! Juhasz will bring it. Don’t rob me of this last minute with
you.
PAULA—[_With fine coquetry._] Last?
COUNT—You are going home to your mother, and I am going back to
Gerelypuszta.... You are a very clever girl ... and I am not exactly
stupid myself.... It would not be impossible, I daresay, to find you
somewhere in the city.... But an old man must be as cautious and
circumspect ... as a young girl ... and I try to be a very sensible old
man.... I shall teach myself to do without you ... slowly, painlessly.
[_PHILIP goes up behind the counter at back._] Poor Juhasz went into
bankruptcy just in time for me, just in time.
[_JUHASZ, carrying the package, enters through the archway._]
JUHASZ—All packed and ready, your excellency. [_Goes to the door._] I’ll
give it to your chauffeur. [_He exits._]
COUNT—What is that?
PHILIP—One jockey suit and a cap, your excellency.
COUNT—[_Turns in surprise._] Oh, you are here too?
PHILIP—I am here, excellency.
COUNT—[_Turns to PAULA._] Well, then ... good-bye, Miss Paula.
PAULA—[_With a bow._] Your excellency!
COUNT—You don’t even offer to shake hands?