Scene III

NATO. Don't keep me waiting, mamma.

SALOME. And won't a little less satisfy you? Why do you want so much all of a sudden?

NATO. But, dear mamma, please; I want it so much!

SALOME [

putting her hand in her pocket

]. I can never get away from you.

[Takes out her purse and looks for something in it.

NATO [

holding out her hand

]. You have it there, mamma.

SALOME. Have a little patience. [

Takes out some money and gives it to her

.] Take it! take it! though I know your father will scold about it.

NATO. But what can I do, when I need it so badly?

SALOME. Need it—nonsense! There is no end of your needs. [

Pulling at Nato's hat.

] How have you put your hat on again? And the flowers are all pulled apart.

[Arranges it.

NATO. Bah! what difference does that make?

SALOME. You're crazy! [

Removes her veil.

] How have you put on your veil? I must ever and eternally fix something on you!

NATO. You will make me too beautiful, mamma.

SALOME. Whether I make you beautiful or not, it will make no difference. You will be only the wife of a merchant.

NATO. Yes, yes, I have been expecting that!

SALOME. And you really think that your father will ask you?

NATO. And whom should he ask?

SALOME. Think what you will; he will not let his decision be altered by you. He says, "I will give her only to a business man."

NATO. Yes, yes, surely.

SALOME. By heaven!

NATO. Mamma, is what you say true?

SALOME. As true as the sun shines above you. He spoke of it again to-day.

NATO. It is decided, then?

SALOME. What am I to do if there is no other way out? You know we have not any too much money.

NATO. And you are going to make a shopkeeper's wife of me, so that everyone will laugh at me [

ready to cry

]; so that I shall be an object of scorn for all. And why have you had me so well educated? Have I learned Russian and French and piano-playing for a man of that sort? What does a shopkeeper want of a piano? Pickle-jars and butter-tubs are useful to him, but not my French! I am curious as to how he would speak to me:

Moi aller, vous joli tu voir

.

SALOME. Enough! enough! you wild girl!

NATO [

crying

]. It is out of the question, mamma. No, not for the world could I marry a business man! I will not have one! I would rather jump into the water than marry one! [

Crying, she gives the money back

.] Take it back! What do I need it for now? Why should I go out and make purchases? For whom, then?

[Takes off her mantle, flings her parasol aside, sits down on the sofa and begins to cry.

SALOME. O great heaven! is this not torture? I get it on both sides. [

Turning to Nato

:] Be still, you stupid girl!

NATO. For this I have learned so much; for this you have brought me up so grandly and given yourself so much trouble and care! [

Weeping

.] Is he, also, to take me walking on the boulevard? Is he to accompany me to the club and to the theatre?

[Sobbing.

SALOME. Be quiet! Enough! Give yourself no unnecessary heartache.

NATO [

jumps up and embraces Salome

]. Dear, dear mamma! dearest mamma, save me!

SALOME. Oh, rather would your mother be dead than to see this day!

NATO. Dear mamma, save me! save me, or I shall go into consumption! God is my witness!

SALOME [

weeping

]. The deuce take everything!

[Wipes away her tears.

NATO. Mamma, if you please, I would rather not marry at all. I will serve you here at home like a housemaid. Only make them stop this affair!

SALOME. That has already happened, my child.

NATO. Dear mamma, please do it.

SALOME. But I tell you, truly.

NATO. Is it really true?

SALOME. As true as the sun shines.

NATO [

kissing Salome

]. O my dear, dear mamma!

SALOME. At last I am rid of you. Your eyes are real tear-fountains. It would not have taken much more to make me cry, too.

NATO [

laughing

]. Ha! ha! ha!

SALOME. You can laugh now.

NATO. Ha! ha! ha! you gave me such a fright!

SALOME. You are terribly flighty. [

Presses the money into her hand

.] Here, take it; and do not be too long.

[Smoothes Nato's hair.

NATO [

pulling herself away from her mother

]. Very well, mamma.

[Taking her parasol and mantle.

SALOME. Wipe your eyes, I pray, or they will laugh at you!

NATO. They are quite dry; and what does anybody care about my eyes?

[Going.

SALOME. Come back soon; don't allow yourself to be delayed.

NATO. I will come back right away, dear mamma.

[Goes toward the right into the ante-room.