OSCAR—I am practically boycotted, that’s what I am! Can I help it if you
are a saint? Wouldn’t I have fallen in love with your wife just the same
if you had been a scoundrel? Why should I be held answerable for your
virtues?
JUHASZ—No, that’s not fair.
OSCAR—I acted honestly and fairly toward you.
JUHASZ—Let us say you did.
OSCAR—And certainly Adele did.
JUHASZ—That’s true.
OSCAR—And _now_ look at me.... I had no supper last night, if you want to
know it.... Neither I nor your wife.
JUHASZ—When you can’t buy her supper, then she’s _my_ wife, eh?
OSCAR—Go on and joke about it.... But we went to bed without supper.
JUHASZ—But then ... she was _your_ wife.
OSCAR—Your jokes don’t alter the facts. You are responsible for this.
JUHASZ—For what?
OSCAR—For the fact that we are starving. For the fact that I am shabby.
And for ... [_raises his trousers leg_] the fact that my socks are in
holes.... And for the boycott against me.... But if you don’t care
whether your former wife starves or not—— [_JUHASZ reaches for his
purse. OSCAR puts out a firm, protesting hand._] No, my friend, no!
[_Heroically._] We don’t accept alms.... Believe me, you’d be the last
I’d come to for a job if I had only myself to consider. You can imagine
what I went through before I brought myself to the point of crossing your
threshold. And now if, after all, _you_ send me away too——
JUHASZ—[_Touched, but refitting his impulse._] Will it always be like
this?... Why can’t they let me be? [_Turns, comes down right, passes
behind the counter. PHILIP enters through the archway._]
OSCAR—[_Follows JUHASZ._] Well ... what do you say?
JUHASZ—[_Through his clenched teeth._] I can’t.... You mustn’t ask it of
me. I’ll do anything but that.... My dear fellow, you must see I can’t do
that....
OSCAR—[_Bends over the counter toward him._] Then, at least, will you
give me six pair of black socks? [_Raises his trousers leg._] Mine are in
tatters.
JUHASZ—Oh!
OSCAR—You won’t even do that for me?
JUHASZ—[_Impatiently._] Certainly I will.... [_Takes a box from the
shelves, throws it on the counter._]
OSCAR—You are not going to offer me those HBs.
JUHASZ—What kind do you want then?
OSCAR—You might at least give me KMs.
JUHASZ—I have no more KMs. They are all gone. [_Puts out another box._]
Here are some AWs. [_Opens the box._] They are very good. [_Shows him a
pair._]
OSCAR—Are you trying to tell _me_ these are good? [_Fingers them._]
Cobweb?