Part 13 (2/2)
[_Entering_]: Consuelo, where are you? I have been looking for you--come on. [_Both go out. The_ BARON, _after hesitating a while, follows them_. MANCINI _accompanies him respectfully to the door_.]
HE
[_Sighs_]: You don't understand, my dear friends; you are simply old, and have forgotten the smell of the stage.
JACKSON
Aha! Who is old, my young man?
HE
Don't be angry, Jim. It's a play, don't you understand? I become happy when I enter the ring and hear the music. I wear a mask and I feel humorous. There is a mask on my face, and I play. I may say _anything_ like a drunkard. Do you understand? Yesterday when I, with this stupid face, was playing the great man, the philosopher [_he a.s.sumes a proud monumental pose, and repeats the gesture of the play--general laughter_]
I was walking this way, and was telling how great, how wise, how incomparable I was--how G.o.d lived in me, how high I stood above the earth--how glory shone above my head [_his voice changes and he is speaking faster_] then you, Jim, you hit me for the first time. And I asked you, ”What is it, they're applauding me?” Then, at the tenth slap, I said: ”It seems to me that they sent for me from the Academy?”
[_Acts, looking around him with an air of unconquerable pride and splendour. Laughter. Jackson gives him a real slap._]
HE
[_Holding his face_]: Why?
JACKSON
Because you're a fool, and play for nothing. Waiter, the check.
(_Laughter. The bell calls them to the ring. The actors go out in haste, some running. The waiters collect their money._)
BRIQUET
[_In a sing-song_]: To the ring--to the ring--
MANCINI
I want to tell you something, HE. You are not going yet?
HE
No. I'll take a rest.
BRIQUET
To the ring--to the ring--
[_The clowns as they go sing in shrill, squeaky voices. Little by little they all disappear, and loud music begins. HE seats himself on the sofa with his legs crossed, and yawns._]
MANCINI
HE, you have something none of my ancestors ever had--money. Let's have a nice bottle on you. Waiter, please--[_The waiter who was taking up dishes, brings a bottle of wine and gla.s.ses and goes out._]
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