OLD GENTLEMAN—If I do it will burst.
OSCAR—Don’t you care.
OLD GENTLEMAN—Better stretch it a bit more.
OSCAR—Let it burst, professor. A glove oughtn’t }
to be stretched too much. It will go on your }
hand all right. } [_Simultaneously._]
}
JUHASZ—This dark green isn’t bad. Or do you }
prefer this gray and black? }
[_PAULA takes off her gloves. Then her hat. Throws them determinedly on
the table. All look at her._]
OSCAR—[_Loudly, quickly, to bridge the uncomfortable silence which
ensues._] Perhaps we _had_ better take a half size larger, professor.
Just one moment....
PHILIP—[_Joins in loudly._] This isn’t }
expensive at all, if you consider the }
quality.... }
}
OSCAR— ... to try this size. It doesn’t matter }
if they fit a bit easy. Better that way than }
too snug. }
}
PHILIP—You can’t get quality without paying for }
it. We have a customer, an old gentleman, who }
always says “The cheapest is dearest in the }
long run.” And he’s quite right. I believe that } [_Loudly and
if you.... } simultaneously._]
}
OSCAR—Or we will stick to the eight and a half }
if you like. They aren’t so very tight. Some }
people prefer them that way. It’s all a matter }
of taste. }
}
JUHASZ—[_Joins in shrilly._] This is pure }
lamb’s wool and that makes it warmer than }
another scarf twice its weight.... And it’s }
fashionable too.... We carry all the plain }
colors, but the striped ones come only in two }
shades, gray against a black ground or.... }
[_Meantime PAULA has gone to the cashier’s desk, glanced back at JUHASZ
once more, and now, with a petulant stamp of her foot, she goes behind
the desk. A sudden silence falls. She rolls up her sleeves and sits in
the cashier’s place. Her face is resolutely set. OSCAR, PHILIP and JUHASZ
watch her, aghast._]
PHILIP—It is always a good plan to buy the }
best, for it gives the most satisfaction and }
lasts the longest.... }
} [_Simultaneously,
OSCAR—They may be uncomfortable for a day or } softly, stammering;
two, but then they begin to conform with the } all begin at
shape of your hand, and you are glad you.... } the same time._]
}
JUHASZ—You will find these very practical for }
cold weather. And they are ideal for skating in }
winter. Both men and women wear them.... }
[_He is greatly distressed; his voice trembles._] We often sell several
of these to the same customer ... three or four at a time ... even more
... I recommend them highly, madame. [_There is a pause. PAULA sits
obstinately behind the cashier’s desk._]
OSCAR—Just push a little harder, please. [_He helps the OLD GENTLEMAN._]
Push, push!
PATIENT LADY—I’ll take these three. What do they cost?
JUHASZ—[_His voice trembles._] Forty kronen each, madame.
PATIENT LADY—[_Rises._] Send them, please. [_Fumbles in her purse._]
Three times forty.... One hundred and twenty.
JUHASZ—Yes. One hundred and twenty.
PATIENT LADY—After all, I think two will be plenty.... Let me see which
two. [_They compare the scarfs._]
THOROUGH YOUNG LADY—[_Rises._] What does it all come to? [_She has money
in her hand._]
PHILIP—Three hundred and ten kronen, madame.
THOROUGH YOUNG LADY—[_Turns toward the cashier’s desk._] Three hundred
and ten. [_She is about to go to PAULA._]
PHILIP—[_Loudly, harshly._] No, no! [_She turns to him in surprise._] You
can pay me, please.
THOROUGH YOUNG LADY—Not the cashier?