He Who Gets Slapped - Leonid Andreyev (books under 200 pages .TXT) 📗

epub:type="z3998:persona">He I am He Who is Getting Slapped. Goodbye, Prince. They take another step. Gentleman Looking He in the eyes; in a very low voice. Tell me, you are not mad? He Just at low, his eyes wide open. I am afraid, I am afraid you are right, Prince. Still low. Ass! Never in your life did you use such a precise expression. I am mad! Playing the clown again, he shows him to the stair, with a big, affected gesture, a sweep of the hand and arm from his head to the floor, the fingers moving, to represent the steps. He Laughing. He is down! Au revoir, Prince. The gentleman goes out. He comes skipping back, and takes a pose. Mancini! Let us dance the Tango! Mancini, I adore you! Mancini Sitting back comfortably and playing with his cane. Don’t forget yourself, He. But you’re hiding something, my boy. I always said you used to belong to society. It is so easy to talk to you. And who is this Prince? A genuine one? He Genuine. A first-rater. Like you! Mancini A sympathetic face. Although at first I thought he was an undertaker who came for an order. Ah, He! When shall I finally depart from these dirty walls, from Papa Briquet, stupid posters, and brutal jockeys! He Very soon, Mancini. Mancini Yes, soon. I am simply exhausted in these surroundings, He! I begin to feel myself a horse. You are from society, still you don’t yet know what high society means. To be at last decently dressed, to attend receptions, to display the splendour of wit; from time to time to have a game of baccarat laughing without tricks or cheating⁠— He And when evening comes, go to a suburb, where you are considered an honest father, who loves his children and⁠— Mancini And get hold of something, eh? Laughs. I shall wear a silk mask and two butlers shall follow me, thus protecting me from the dirty crowd. Ah, He! The blood of my ancestors boils in me. Look at this stiletto. What do you think? Do you think that it was ever stained with blood? He You frighten me, Count! Mancini Laughing, and putting the stiletto back into its sheath. Fool! He And what about the girl? Mancini Tss! I give those bourgeois absolute satisfaction, and they glorify my name. Laughs. The splendour of my name is beginning to shine with a force unknown. By the way, do you know what automobile firms are the best? Money is no object. Laughs. Ah! Papa Briquet! Enter Briquet in his overcoat and silk hat. They shake hands. Briquet So, Mancini, you have obtained a benefit performance for your daughter, Consuelo! I only want to tell you, that if it were not for Zinida.⁠ ⁠… Mancini Listen, Briquet. Decidedly you are a donkey. What are you complaining of? The Baron has bought all the parquet seats for Consuelo’s benefit performance. Isn’t that enough for you, you miser? Briquet I love your daughter, Mancini, and I am sorry to let her go. What more does she need here? She has an honest job, wonderful comrades, and the atmosphere⁠—? Mancini Not she, but I need something. You understand? Laughs. I asked you to increase her salary, Harpagon! and now, Mr. Manager, wouldn’t you like to change me a thousand franc note? Briquet With a sigh. Give it to me. Mancini Nonchalantly. Tomorrow. I left it at home. All three laugh. Laugh, laugh! Today we are going with the Baron to his villa in the country; people say a very nice villa. He What for? Mancini You know, He, the crazes of these billionaires. He wants to show Consuelo some winter roses, and me his wine cellars. He will come for us here. What is the matter, my little Consuelo? Enter Consuelo, almost crying. Consuelo I can’t father! Tell him! What right has he to yell at me? He almost hit me with his whip! Mancini Straightening up. Briquet! I beg of you, as the Manager, what is this⁠—a stable? To hit my daughter with a whip! I’ll show this cub⁠ ⁠… a mere jockey.⁠ ⁠… No, the devil knows what it is, devil knows, I swear.⁠ ⁠… Consuelo Father.⁠ ⁠… Briquet I will tell him. Consuelo Please don’t. Alfred didn’t hit me. It’s a silly thing, what I told you. What an idea! He is so sorry himself.⁠ ⁠… Briquet I shall tell him anyhow that⁠— Consuelo Don’t you dare. You mustn’t tell him anything. He didn’t do a thing. Mancini Still excited. He must beg her pardon, the brat. Consuelo He’s already asked me to forgive him. How silly you all are! I simply cannot work today and I got nervous. What nonsense! The silly boy asked me to forgive him, but I didn’t want to. He, dear, good morning! I didn’t notice you. How becoming your tie is! Where are you going, Briquet? To Alfred? Briquet No, I am going home, dear child. Zinida asked me to give you her love. She will not be here today, either. He goes out. Consuelo Zinida is so nice, so good. Father, why is it that everybody seems so nice to me? Probably because I am going away soon. He, did you hear the march that Tilly and Polly will play? Laughs. Such a cheerful one. He Yes. I heard it. Your benefit performance will be remarkable. Consuelo I think so, too. Father I am hungry. Have them bring me a sandwich. He I’ll run for it, my Queen. Consuelo Please do, He. Loudly. But not cheese. I don’t like it. Mancini and Consuelo are alone. Mancini, lying back comfortably in an armchair, scrutinizes his daughter with a searching eye. Mancini I find something particular in you today, my child. I don’t know whether it is something better or worse. You cried? Consuelo Yes, a little. Oh, I am so hungry. Mancini But you had your breakfast? Consuelo No, I didn’t. That’s why I am so hungry. You again forgot to leave me some money this morning, and without money.⁠ ⁠… Mancini Oh, the devil⁠ ⁠… what