PAULA—I’m not considering anyone except myself. I need Mr. Juhasz now,
and, no matter what you say, I mean to use him.
PHILIP—[_Scrutinizing her narrowly._] This isn’t wickedness. It’s only
childish egotism.
PAULA—I mean to do just what I said.
PHILIP—And suppose I prevent you?
PAULA—How?
PHILIP—Suppose I tell Mr. Juhasz exactly what you said.
PAULA—First you worm everything out of me ... and then.... But he
wouldn’t believe you.... Besides ... you won’t tell ... you are too fond
of him yourself.
PHILIP—That’s exactly why. He is bound to find out sooner or later.
PAULA—No. A man like him never sees such things. [_Confidently._] You
won’t tell. You won’t open your mouth. [_JUHASZ enters through the
archway, carrying his hat and cane._]
JUHASZ—And now, dear Miss Paula, there is one painful duty left for me to
do. I promised your mother that I would look after you as a father ...
and now ... I must send you back to your mother.... I ... forgive me for
the ceremony ... I discharge you, Miss Paula.... But to-morrow I will use
what influence I may have with the new boss——
PAULA—[_Firmly._] That won’t be necessary, Mr. Juhasz.
JUHASZ—Don’t you want to keep your job?
PAULA—No.
JUHASZ—Why not?
PAULA—Because I ... am going with you, Mr. Juhasz.
JUHASZ—With me?
PAULA—With you ... wherever you may go.
JUHASZ—[_Amazed._] Miss Paula!
PAULA—There is no use discussing it. You know I always do what I say.
JUHASZ—[_Puts down his hat and stick._] With me, Miss Paula?
PAULA—With you.
JUHASZ—But the place I am going to ... is a tiny village ... deep in the
country ... at the end of the world.
PAULA—I’m going too. If there’s work for you, there will be work for me
too.
JUHASZ—But you are young, Miss Paula.... Why should you leave Budapest
... now ... when so many new enterprises are being founded?... Why, with
your talent and industry——
PAULA—Let us not discuss it, please, Mr. Juhasz. I am going with you.
JUHASZ—Do you hear that, Philip?
PHILIP—[_Morosely._] I hear.
PAULA—Promise that you’ll take me with you ... and look upon me ... as
you always have ... as your child ... as your friend.
JUHASZ—[_Deeply moved._] I am compensated ... Paula ... for all ... all
that I suffered to-day.... God is good to me, after all.
PAULA—[_Low, ashamed._] I am devoted to you, Mr. Juhasz. You know
that.... Will you excuse me now? I must go, or mother will be worried
about me. [_Starts to go._] Besides, I think Mr. Philip has something to
tell you. [_She exits through the archway._]
JUHASZ—[_Deeply touched._] What a heart she has!... That is the stuff
that saints and martyrs are made of.... And to think that here [_with
an emotional break in his voice_]—here in this dim little shop ... such
loyalty ... such devotion should have blossomed ... unknown.... [_Dries
his eyes._] It’s good to know there are such people in the world!
[_PHILIP, in surly silence, picks up his hat and stick, pulls on his
gloves._] Is there something you wanted to say to me, Philip?