Dialogue following No. 17
NANNA. Really, Thora, I can’t help feeling rather conscience-stricken. Poor boys! I’m really afraid we’ve broken their hearts.
THORA. It’s a pity they’re such nobodies. I sometimes think between ourselves ——
NANNA. Hush! So do I — but here they come.
Enter ERLING and TORTENSSEN. The girls retire up stage and listen
TORTENSSEN. Do you know, I don’t care to be repulsed by a girl I’m engaged to, Count.
ERLING. They certainly treated us very coldly, Baron. Mere innocent attention — such as every girl expects from the man she’s going to marry ——
TORTENSSEN. Remember, Count, we are no longer a couple of adventurers, we are great men, and we are entitled to expect that attentions shall be paid to us, now. (Girls indulge in suppressed chuckles.) I think a little condescension on our part, a little stand-offishness, an air of doing them a considerable favour, would not be misplaced.
ERLING. I see what you mean, Baron. A little of this sort of thing — “Good-day to you, my dear; good day to you. Pleased to see you, pleased to see you ——”
TORTENSSEN. “A little further off, please. We’ll tell you when we want the mixture as before.” Don’t you think so, Count?
ERLING. I really think it’s only what is due to us, Baron, I do indeed.
The Girls come forward pretending to weep bitterly.
NANNA (in affected tears). Oh, please, we’ve been thinking it over, and we’re very sorry we were so un-kuk-kuk-kuk-kind to you just now.
ERLING (condescendingly). Thank you, thank you. Pray don’t name it.
TORTENSSEN. We thought you’d like a little attention — but it’s not of the smallest consequence. There — go away — there’s good girls.
THORA (pretending to sob). Oh, but we did like it-only — (Bursts into tears.)
NANNA (sobbing). We thought it more mai-mai-maidenly to be cuc-cuc-cuc-coy! (Tears.) By such a par-par-particular pa-pa-papa!
THORA. And we’re so afraid of Mrs. Gug-gug-gug-Grundy! (Violent burst of tears.)
Both burst into floods of tears.
| Together. | |
|---|---|
| ERL. | Now, my darling child — Nanna dearest — don’t cry like that! I can’t bear it! See, on my knees I swear to you that I will always — always love you as I love you now! Oh, don’t cry like that — you’ll break my heart — indeed you will! |
| TORT. | My dearest Thora — you mustn’t — really you mustn’t! It’s dreadful to see those pretty eyes so red with weeping — Oh, I was a brute to be unkind to you, there —don’t be a little goose! I didn’t mean it — upon my word I didn’t! |
Both men are on their knees trying to console the two girls. The girls, who have been pretending to weep hysterically through this, suddenly burst into peals of hearty laughter.
ERLING (springing up). Tortenssen, I do believe they’re laughing at us!
THORA. Oh, aren’t the nobility shrewd!
NANNA. And isn’t the aristocracy quick at grasping a situation!