Part 57 (2/2)

DAUGHTER. Oh yes, I think so.

FIDDLER. It is the best life. (TO DAUGHTER) Play something.

[As the DAUGHTER goes to the spinet, the SINGER goes out.]

(They play. When it is over, the DAUGHTER turns round and looks at the FIDDLER, and sighs.)

DAUGHTER. That is all you want? Just you and your fiddle and the open road?

FIDDLER. It is the best life.

[The TALKER appears at the window.]

TALKER. Aha! what did I hear? Did I hear our loquacious Fiddler perorating upon Life? ”Life,” quoth she, with much argument and circ.u.mstantial matter; ”Life,” she continued, making her points singly and one by one, thus keeping the business in its true perspective; ”Life is--” (Lamely) Well, what is life?

FIDDLER. When do we start, Johannes?

[The DAUGHTER goes out.]

TALKER. Are you so eager to be gone?

FIDDLER. We have been here eight days.

TALKER. Eight days! And Troy was besieged for eleven years! Eight days!

Why, I could talk for eight days without taking breath, and I am by nature a glum, silent man. Nay, nay, say not to me ”Eight days.” Eight days will not make a man grow old or a woman lose her beauty. (The MOTHER comes into the room.) Or a woman lose her beauty--Madame, I kiss your hands. Were I of less girth I would flit through the window and fall upon my knees at your feet. (The FIDDLER with a shrug goes out.) As it is, I shall enter by the door in the usual way. I have your permission?

MOTHER (smiling). You asked my permission a week ago. You do not need to ask it now.

TALKER (still at the window). It has been a happy week. The week has liked me well.

MOTHER. You take the road again this afternoon. Your plan still holds?

TALKER (with a sigh). They say so, lady.

MOTHER. Who say so? Is not Master Johannes the master of his company?

Who say so?

TALKER. The birds. I held converse with a cuckoo-bird this morning.

”Cuckoo,” he said--in this manner (he imitates it on his pipe)--meaning, as I gathered, ”O fool!” I bowed low to him, and ”Pardon, bird,” said I,--”but I would have you tell me why I am a fool.” He answered thus in parables--”Cuckoo.”

MOTHER. And what did _that_ mean?

TALKER (sighing). It meant, ”There's no fool like an old fool.”

(She looks away. He waits a little, then sighs again and leaves the window, entering a moment later by the door.)

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