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

I am frightened, too. Are you, Father? Mancini Silly child. An awkward silence. Briquet With a step forward. Countess! As the director of the circus, who was happy enough⁠ ⁠… to witness⁠ ⁠… many times⁠ ⁠… your successes.⁠ ⁠… Consuelo I do not like this, Papa Briquet! I am Consuelo. What do you want to do with me? I shall cry. I don’t want this “Countess.” Give me a kiss, Briquet! Briquet Ah, Consuelo! Books have killed you. Kisses her with tears. Laughter, applause. The clowns cluck like hens, bark, and express their emotions in many other ways. The motley crowd of clowns, which is ready for the pantomime, becomes more and more lively. The Baron is motionless, there is a wide space around him; the people touch glasses with him in a hurry, and go off to one side. With Consuelo they clink willingly and cheerfully. She kisses the women. Jackson Silence! Consuelo, from today on, I extinguish my sun. Let the dark night come after you leave us. You were a nice comrade and worker, we all loved you and will love the traces of your little feet on the sand. Nothing remains to us! Consuelo You are so good, so good, Jim. So good that there is no one better. And your sun is better than all the other suns. I laughed so much at it. Alfred, dear, why don’t you come? I was looking for you. Bezano My congratulations, Countess. Consuelo Alfred, I am Consuelo! Bezano When you are on horseback; but here⁠—I congratulate you, Countess. He passes, only slightly touching Consuelo’s glass. Consuelo still holds it. Mancini looks at the Baron with a smile. The latter is motionless. Briquet Nonsense, Bezano. You are making Consuelo unhappy. She is a good comrade. Consuelo No, it’s all right. Angelica You’ll dance the Tango with her tonight, so how is she a countess? Tilly May I clink glasses with you, Consuelo? You know Polly has died of grief already, and I am going to die. I have such a weak stomach. Laughter; Baron shows slight displeasure. General motion. Mancini Enough, enough! The intermission is over. Consuelo Already? It’s so nice here. Briquet I shall prolong it. They can wait. Tell them, Thomas. Mancini Auguste, the musicians of the orchestra, too, ask permission to congratulate you and Consuelo. Do you⁠ ⁠… ? Baron Certainly, certainly. Enter crowd of musicians. The conductor, an old Italian, lifts his glass solemnly and without looking at the Baron. The Conductor Consuelo! They call you Countess here, but for me you were and are Consuelo. Consuelo Certainly! The Conductor Consuelo! My violins and bassoons, my trumpets and drums, all are drinking your health. Be happy, dear child, as you were happy here. And we shall conserve forever in our hearts the fair memory of our light-winged fairy, who guided our bows so long. I have finished! Give my love to our beautiful Italy, Consuelo. Applause, compliments. The musicians one after another clink glasses and go out into the corridor. Consuelo is almost crying. Mancini Don’t be so sensitive, my child, it is indecent. Had I known that you would respond this way to this comedy⁠—Auguste, look how touched this little heart is! Baron Calm yourself, Consuelo. Consuelo It is all right. Ah, Father, listen! The musicians are playing the Tango in the corridor. Exclamations. Mancini You see. It is for you. Consuelo They are so nice. My Tango! I want to dance. Who is going to dance with me? Looks around, seeking Bezano, who turns away sadly. Who, then? Voices Baron! Let the Baron dance! Baron! Baron All right. Takes Consuelo’s arm, and stands in the centre of a circle which is formed. I do not know how to dance the Tango, but I shall hold tight. Dance, Consuelo. He stands with legs spread, heavily and awkwardly, like an iron-moulded man, holding Consuelo’s arm firmly and seriously. Mancini Applauding. Bravo! Bravo! Consuelo makes a few restless movements, and pulls her arm away. Consuelo No, I can’t this way. How stupid! Let me go! She goes to Zinida and embraces her, as if hiding herself. The music still plays. The Baron goes off quietly to the side. There is an unfriendly silence among the cast. They shrug their shoulders. Mancini Alone. Bravo! Bravo! It is charming, it is exquisite! Jackson Not entirely, Count. Tilly and Polly imitate the Baron and Consuelo without moving from their places. Tilly Shrieking. Let me go! Polly No, I’ll not. Dance! The music stops abruptly. General, too loud laughter; the clowns bark and roar. Papa Briquet gesticulates, in order to reestablish silence. The Baron is apparently as indifferent as before. Mancini Really these vagabonds are becoming too impertinent. Shrugging his shoulders. It smells of the stable. You cannot help it, Auguste! Baron Don’t be upset, Count. He Holding his glass, approaches the Baron. Baron. Will you permit me to make a toast? Baron Make it. He To your dance! Slight laughter in the crowd. Baron I don’t dance! He Then another one, Baron. Let us drink to those who know how to wait longer, until they get it. Baron I do not accept any toasts which I do not understand. Say it more simply.

Voice of a woman: “Bravo, He!” Slight laughter. Mancini says something hastily to Briquet; the latter spreads his arms in gesture of helplessness. Jackson takes He by the arm.

Jackson Beat it, He! The Baron doesn’t like jokes. He But I want to drink with the Baron. What can be simpler? Simpler? Baron, let us drink to the very small distance which will always remain ’twixt the cup and the lip! Spills his wine, and laughs. The Baron turns his back on him, indifferently. The music plays in the ring. The bell rings. Briquet Relieved. There! To the ring, ladies and gentlemen, to the ring, to the ring! The actresses run out. The crowd becomes smaller; laughter and voices. Mancini Much excited, whispers to the Baron. “Auguste, Auguste⁠—” Briquet To Zinida. Thank