COMEDIAN. I did my job well. Drank it to the last drop.
VILLAIN. Yes, to the last drop. This evening you shall have bread and sausage. Very small portions, too, for to-morrow is another day. [INGENUE _sobbing more frequently_.] Not till the day after to-morrow shall we reach town, and that doesn't mean that you get anything to eat there, either, but I--I--I--he-he-he. O Holy Dollar, Almighty Dollar! [_Gravely._] He who does my bidding shall not be without food.
COMEDIAN. [_With wide-open eyes._] What? Ha-ha-ha!
[INGENUE _gets up and throws herself on the_ VILLAIN'S _bosom_.
VILLAIN. Ha-ha, my power already makes itself felt.
HEROINE. [_Pushing the_ INGENUE _away_.] Let go of him, you. He sought my love for a long time and now he shall have it.
HEROINE. [_To_ COMEDIAN.] I hate you, traitor. [_To the_ VILLAIN.] I have always loved--genius. You are now the wisest of the wise. I adore you.
VILLAIN. [_Holding_ INGENUE _in one arm_.] Come into my other arm.
[HEROINE, _throwing herself into his arms, kissing and embracing him_.
COMEDIAN. [_Half rising on his knees._] Stop, I protest. [_Throwing himself on the grass._] "O frailty, thy name is woman."
"OLD WOMAN." [_Approaching the_ VILLAIN _from behind and embracing him_.] Find a little spot on your bosom for me. I play the "Old Woman," but you know I'm not really old.
VILLAIN. Now I have all of power and all of love.
COMEDIAN. Don't call it love. Call it servility.
VILLAIN. [_Freeing himself from the women._] But now I have something more important to carry out. My vassals--I mean you all--I have decided we will not stay here over night. We will proceed further.
VILLAIN. I have so decided, and that in itself should be enough for you; but due to an old habit I shall explain to you why I have so decided.
COMEDIAN. Keep your explanation to yourself and better not disturb my contemplation of the sunset.
VILLAIN. I'll put you down on the blacklist. It will go ill with you for your speeches against me. Now, then, _without_ an explanation, we will go--and at once. [_Nobody stirs._] Very well, then, I go alone.
VILLAIN. Your loyalty gratifies me very much.
"OLD MAN." [_Who is sitting apathetically upon the trunk._] What the deuce is urging you to go?