Page:Fashions for Men And The Swan Two Plays (NY 1922).pdf/78

 dictation I must make political speeches And I detest political speeches

—[Listening.] Wasn't that the door? He's just come in the anteroom. Dictate to me! Hurry!

—It's enough to drive a man to despair. [Loudly, as types.] "If the Minister of Agriculture supposes  that the farmers of the country will tolerate  such a thing, he is gravely mistaken." I'll discharge him. I'll discharge him this very day No Don't write that I don't mean the minister.

—[As she writes.] Don't be unkind to him He's such a dear, gentle soul.

—[Loudly.] The tiller of the soil asks little of his Government

—[As she writes.] It's sheer gratitude that makes him guard me so faithfully, gratitude to me for having come here with him.

—I've put up with his gratitude until I'm weary of it. It's four months since you came here. Do you realize it? Four months you have tormented me on his account. Four months you have been postponing my happiness from day to day on his account.

—You must be patient a little longer. He'll go of his own accord as soon as he gets his fifty-one thousand kronen from Berlin. Meantime,