Page:Five Russian plays and one Ukrainian.pdf/49

Rh : I was very sorry for him.

(to Audience): Your elbow’s near and yet you can’t bite it!


 * He was weeping and crying: “Why the devil did I preserve my strength?” And I answered him: “I have respect for your wrinkles, but not passion.”


 * But you know, Columbine, he is younger than I, though twice as old in years.


 * I don’t understand you.


 * Because you haven’t meditated on real old age. (Tapping Pierrot on shoulder.) But why aren’t you drinking or eating and taking part in our conversation ?


 * He wants to depress us, but he shan’t, the good-for-nothing!

(weeping): You don’t understand, poor thing, that Harlequin’s dying.


 * Dying? You horrid thing! Or have you put poison in our glasses? No, no (contemptuously); men like you aren’t capable of that.

(all in tears): Poor Harlequin, your minutes are numbered!


 * What’s he say? What’s he making up?