Part 17 (2/2)
LIGHT They are the biggest Luxuries of the Earth, the ones that can be seen with the naked eye. It is possible, though not very likely, that the Blue Bird may have strayed among them for a moment. That is why you must not turn the diamond yet. For form's sake, we will begin by searching this part of the hall.
TYLTYL Can we go up to them?
LIGHT Certainly. They are not ill-natured, although they are vulgar and usually rather ill-bred.
MYTYL What beautiful cakes they have!....
THE DOG And such game! And sausages! And legs of lamb and calves' liver!... There is nothing nicer or lovelier in the world than liver!...
BREAD Except quartern-loaves made of fine white flour! They have splendid ones!... How lovely they are! How lovely they are!...
SUGAR I beg your pardon, I beg your pardon, I beg a thousand pardons.... Allow me, allow me.... I would not like to hurt anybody's feelings; but are you not forgetting the sweetmeats, which form the glory of that table and which, if I may say so, surpa.s.s in grandeur and magnificence all that exists in this hall, or perhaps anywhere else?...
TYLTYL How pleased and happy they look!... And they are shouting! And laughing!
And singing!... I believe they have seen us....
(_A dozen of the biggest_ LUXURIES _have risen from table and now, holding their stomachs in their hands, advance laboriously towards the_ CHILDREN.)
LIGHT Have no fear, they are very affable.... They will probably invite you to dinner.... Do not accept, do not accept anything, lest you should forget your mission....
TYLTYL What? Not even a tiny cake? They look so good, so fresh, so well iced with sugar, covered with candied fruits and br.i.m.m.i.n.g over with cream!...
LIGHT They are dangerous and would break your will. A man should know how to sacrifice something to the duty he is performing. Refuse politely, but firmly.
THE BIGGEST OF THE LUXURIES (_holding out his hand to_ TYLTYL) How do you do, Tyltyl?...
TYLTYL (_surprised_) Why, do you know me?... Who are you?...
THE LUXURY I am the biggest of the Luxuries, the Luxury of Being Rich; and I come, in the name of my brothers, to beg you and your family to honour our endless repast with your presence. You will find yourself surrounded by all that is best among the real, big Luxuries of this Earth. Allow me to introduce to you the chief of them. Here is my son-in-law, the Luxury of Being a Landowner, who has a stomach shaped like a pear. This is the Luxury of Satisfied Vanity, who has such a nice, puffy face, (_The_ LUXURY OF SATISFIED VANITY _gives a patronising nod_.) These are the Luxury of Drinking when you are not Thirsty and the Luxury of Eating when you are not Hungry: they are twins and their legs are made of macaroni. (_They bow, staggering_.) Here are the Luxury of Knowing Nothing, who is as deaf as a post, and the Luxury of Understanding Nothing, who is as blind as a bat.
Here are the Luxury of Doing Nothing and the Luxury of Sleeping more than Necessary: their hands are made of bread-crumb and their eyes of peach-jelly. Lastly, here is Fat Laughter: his mouth is split from ear to ear and he is irresistible....
(FAT LAUGHTER _bows, writhing and holding his sides_.)
TYLTYL (_pointing to a_ LUXURY _who is standing a little on one side_) And who is that one, who dares not come up to us and who is turning his back?...
THE LUXURY OF BEING RICH Do not ask about him: he is a little awkward and is not fit to be introduced to children.... (_Seizing_ TYLTYL'S _hands_) But come along! They are beginning the banquet all over again.... It is the twelfth time since this morning. We are only waiting for you.... Do you hear all the revellers calling and shouting for you?... I cannot introduce you to all of them, there are so many of them.... (_Offering his arm to the two children_) Allow me to lead you to the two seats of honour....
TYLTYL No, thank you very much, Mr. Luxury.... I am so sorry.... I can't come for the moment.... We are in a great hurry, we are looking for the Blue Bird.
You don't happen to know, I suppose, where he is hiding?
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