JUHASZ—I shall be happy to give you satisfaction ... as a customer.
Perhaps ... I ought to make things a bit cheaper for you.
PAULA—I don’t want things cheaper, thank you. ... Why do you look at me
like that?
JUHASZ—You came in so ... unexpectedly.... Have you got leave of absence?
PAULA—Oh, I’m not at Gerelypuszta any more. I’m back in town again. So is
the Count. That is, he’s at Monte Carlo just now.
JUHASZ—Monte Carlo. Great railway junction. Gambling casinos.
PAULA—No. He has gone there to shoot pigeons.
JUHASZ—He never used to like that kind of sport.
PAULA—He is passionately fond of it now.... Ever since you went away.
When he hears that there is to be a slaughter of pigeons somewhere he
rushes to the spot.... I was supposed to have gone to Monte Carlo with
him, but I didn’t.
JUHASZ—You didn’t go.
PAULA—No. I had too many things to attend to at home first. [_Takes off
her gloves, produces a list._] There are so many things I want, and they
are so hard to get here.
JUHASZ—Hard ... here ... Yes.... Very hard. [_There is a pause._] And
what is it you wish, Miss Paula?
PAULA—[_Sits, consults her list._] You used to have some very fine French
pajamas for ladies. How well I remember them! They are a hundred kronen
the pair, aren’t they?
JUHASZ—Yes.
PAULA—How many have you left?
JUHASZ—I still have them all. Eight pair.
PAULA—I’ll take them all.
JUHASZ—[_Astounded._] You?
PAULA—Yes, please. And to save time won’t you get your pencil and take
down my whole order? I want it sent ... with the bill, as soon as
possible, please. I shall be in town only a few days more. The address is
128 Andrassy Street.
JUHASZ—[_Writes._] What apartment?
PAULA—The whole second floor.
JUHASZ—[_Writes, greatly bewildered._] Eight pajamas. Whole second floor.
PAULA—[_Reads from her list._] Twenty-four white neckties.
JUHASZ—For yourself?
PAULA—No, for my butler. I like him to wear a fresh tie every day.
JUHASZ—[_Writes; his voice trembles._] Twenty-four white ties for butler.
PAULA—Twenty-four pair of white lisle gloves.
JUHASZ—[_Writes._] For the butler?
PAULA—No, for my page boy.
JUHASZ—[_Writes._] Page boy.
PAULA—And some gloves for myself. Those motoring gloves ... with the ends
like a funnel.... You know what I mean.
JUHASZ—Gauntlets.
PAULA—Gauntlets, yes.
JUHASZ—[_Writes disconsolately._] Gauntlets.
PAULA—[_Sighs._] Gauntlets.
JUHASZ—But ... they are only worn for driving.
PAULA—I drive my own car.
JUHASZ—[_Sits down._] A big car?
PAULA—It’s standing out front.... Fifty horse-power.
JUHASZ—Fifty? [_Writes._] Gauntlets.... How many pair? ... Fifty?
PAULA—Six will be plenty until I get to Paris. I can buy more there if I
need them. You can get everything in Paris.
JUHASZ—Yes.... You can get everything in Paris.... A wonderful city.
PAULA—But so far to motor to.... I’m afraid the journey will be tiresome.
JUHASZ—You won’t be bored.... You probably aren’t going alone....
PAULA—Certainly not.
JUHASZ—Your mother?
PAULA—No. Mother is in Vienna, but from there she is going on to
Wiesbaden to wait for us. We will pick her up on our way home.
JUHASZ—[_Earnestly, aroused._] Is there anything the matter with your
mother?
PAULA—Her health, you mean? No. She’s only going to Wiesbaden to play
cards. [_There is a pause. She reads from her list._] Could you have a
footman’s cap made up for me quickly?
JUHASZ—Footman?
PAULA—I’ve been so annoyed about his cap. The one he brought with him was
all covered with gold braid. He looked just like a hotel doorman. What I
wish you’d get for me is something discreet and in good taste, something
suitable for a private dwelling.
JUHASZ—A private dwelling....
PAULA—Yes. For a lady living alone.
JUHASZ—[_Tremblingly writes._] Footman ... cap ... private dwelling....
I’ll look around at the cap-maker’s.