Part 7 (1/2)

Jenny I remember that you recently received about a hundred crowns. What risks is there in falling in with her wishes?

Albert It's true that, right now, I could take them away from her. (to Arabella) Here. Here's the money--go. May these hundred crowns give great success to your law suit.

Arabella Now I am sure of succeeding in our business. (taking the purse) But this aid was quite necessary. Give my lawyer this money, Jenny. I believe he will be diligent in serving me.

Jenny He will lack nothing.

Worthy You may be sure, Madame, that I wish to serve you with all my soul.

Arabella I will go back and return in more decent clothes--to go with you to solicit the judge in this urgent matter and demand justice. Goodbye.

May, one day, heaven reward you for this service to a widow who is to be pitied, who has many sorrows, who is set on by rogues.

(Exit Arabella.)

Jenny (to Worthy) Here's something to speed your business, sir.

Worthy I will take care of the case. I know what to do.

Albert (to Jenny) Be careful of the money.

Jenny Don't be concerned. I am sure, body for body, it is in good hands.

(Exit Jenny.)

Albert You see how this folly grows. Your man doesn't come, and I'm getting worried.

Worthy I don't know what's keeping him. He ought to be here. But, relax, I see him coming.

(Enter Scratch.)

Albert Ah! Sir, come. We both await your arrival with impatience.

Scratch A wise philosopher said elegantly: In all things make haste slowly.

I've been doing research for some time to determine if the malady whose remedy we are seeking resides in the upper or lower regions.

Hippocrates says yes, but Galen says no. It seems to me, time spent reconciling these gentlemen isn't wasted.

Albert Have you discovered, sir, from whence her malady proceeds?

Scratch I've discovered it--clear as crystal.

Albert So much the better. You must know that the beautiful patient is continuously developing some new crisis in her illness. In these remote parts, there are no doctors. This gentleman has counseled me to put her in your hands.

Scratch Without doubt, she'd be better in his. But, I hope to expend my efforts usefully.

Albert You have cured these diseases before?

Scratch Me? Have I cured them? Ah, truly, so I believe. There's a bit of magic in my art. With three words, that I was taught by a Jew in Arabia, I cured a child in the Congo, a kid who really had quite a case of vertigo. I leave it to doctors to practice their science on diseases which pain the body. The object of my specialty is more n.o.ble. It cures all ills which attack the mind. I wish you were to become manic now--atrabalious, mad, even hypochondriacal. So as to have the pleasure of rendering you as wise as I am by tomorrow--and healthy in body, too.

Albert Sir, I am obliged to you for such great zeal.