Scene IV

Enter Salome, Martha, Nino, Pepel, and many well-dressed ladies, followed by two footmen carrying candelabra and lamps, which they put on the table.

SALOME. Take seats, please. The cards are already here.

MARTHA. How pretty it is, isn't it? The cards are already dealt.

[The ladies converse smilingly with one another.

SALOME [

stepping forward and noticing the cards on the floor

]. What is this? Who can have done it?

MARTHA. Probably the cats ran over the table.

SALOME. I cannot think how it could have happened! Please sit down.

Enter Nato and her friends

.

SALOME [

collecting the cards

]. Who can have done it? Nato, did you do it?

NATO. No, mamma, I did not touch them.

SALOME [

to the guests

]. Sit down, I beg.

[All the guests sit down at the table, Nato and her friends sit on the other side of the stage. Salome, standing, deals the cards which the guests hand one to the other. Then they pay in the stakes to Salome, which she lays on the table in front of her.

Enter Alexander

.

NATO [

going to meet Alexander

]. Alexander, why were you so long?

ALEXANDER. I was obliged to be [

leading Nato aside excitedly, and in a whisper

:] I have something to say to you.

NATO [

in a whisper

]. What makes your hand tremble?

ALEXANDER. They have brought action against your father in the courts.

NATO. What! For what reason?

ALEXANDER. Because of debts.

NATO. Who told you so?

ALEXANDER. Your father himself.

NATO [

laughing aloud

]. Ha! ha! ha! [

Whispering

:] My father has no debts.

ALEXANDER. Well, he told me so himself.

NATO. He was joking. Don't believe him.

[Goes over to her friends, laughing.

ALEXANDER. Well, I can't make it out. I am not so stupid, however. Until I have the money in my hands I will not cross this threshold again.

SALOME. Let us begin.

[Guests begin to play.