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 b.u.t.ter-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! G.o.d 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._

SCENE IV

SALOME [_alone_]. No, there is no other way out. Cost what it will, I shall accomplish what I want. Yes, I must, if I am ruined by it. Mother of G.o.d, plead for my Nato!

OSSEP [_enters, right_]. Where has Nato gone?