So Runs the World

Doctor. – You are too modest, sir.

Jan. – You are sneering, and I do not know how to defend myself. But I am frank with you – I would not care a bit about being elected to parliament if it were not for my mamma. When mamma wishes for something it must be accomplished. All women of the family of Srokoszynski are that way, and mamma is of that family.

Doctor. – But, count, you have a will of your own.

Jan. – That is the trouble – the Miliszewskis are all ruled by the women. It is our family characteristic, sir.

Doctor. – A knightly characteristic indeed! But what can I do for you?

Jan. – I am not going to oppose you.

Doctor. – I must be as frank with you as you are with me. Until now you have helped me.

Jan. – I don't know how, but if it is so, then you must help me in your turn.

Doctor. – In what?

Jan. – It is a very delicate question. But you must not tell mamma anything about it.

Doctor. – Certainly not.

Jan. – Mamma wishes me to marry the princess, but I, sir, I do not want —

Doctor. – You do not want?

Jan. – It astonishes you?

Doctor. – I must be frank —

Jan. – I do not wish to because I do not wish to. When a man does not feel like marrying, then he does not feel like it. You will suppose that I am in love with some one else? It may be. But it is not with the princess. Naturally, when mamma says: "Jan, go ahead," I go ahead, because I cannot help it. The Miliszewskis knew how to manage the men, but not the women.

Doctor. – I do not understand – how can I be useful to you?

Jan. – You can do anything in this house, so you must help me secretly, to be refused.

Doctor. – Count, you may rely on me in that matter.

Jan. – Thank you.

Doctor. – And it will be so much the easier done because the princess is betrothed.

Jan. – I did not know that any one dared to compete with me.

Doctor (aside). – What an idea! (Aloud) It is Mr. George Pretwic.

Jan. – Then they wished to make sport of me.

Doctor. – Mr. Pretwic is an audacious man. You were perfectly right when you said the question was a delicate one. The people are afraid of Mr. Pretwic; if you were to give up, people would say that —

Jan. – That I am also afraid? Then I will not give up. My dear sir, I see you do not know the Miliszewskis. We do not know how to handle the women, but there is not a coward in our family. I know that people laugh at me, but the one who would dare to call me a coward would not laugh. I will show them at once that I am not a coward. Where is Mr. Pretwic?

Doctor. – He is in the garden (pointing through the window). Do you see him there, near the lake?

Jan. – Good-bye.

SCENE VI

Jozwowicz alone – then Anton.

Doctor. – The men who have not such sons are great! Ha! ha! ha!

Anton (rushing in). – You are here? Here are your receipts for the money. Why are you laughing?

Doctor. – Miliszewski has gone to challenge Pretwic.

Anton. – Are they crazy?

Doctor. – What an opinion she would have of Pretwic if he were to quarrel with such an idiot!

Anton. – You have done it.

Doctor. – I told you that I shall assist nature.

Anton. – Do as you please; I withdraw.

Doctor. – Good-bye. Or no, I am going also. I must prevent the adventure from going too far.

Anton. – I wanted to tell you that I must buy some food for my children. I will return the money – later on. Is it all right?

Doctor. – How can you ask? (Goes out.)

SCENE VII

Stella and Drahomir. (They enter from the garden.)

Stella. – That walk tired me. See how weak I am (sits down). Where is

Mr. Pretwic?

Drahomir. – Young Miliszewski asked to speak to him a moment. The countess is speaking to the prince. It seems that their conversation is very animated because the countess did not know that you were betrothed, and she had some designs on you. But pray excuse me; I laugh and you suffer by it.

Stella. – I would laugh too if I did not know how much it troubles my father. And then, I pity Count Miliszewski.

Drahomir. – I understand how a similar situation would be painful to a man who was in love, but such is not the case with the count. He will console himself if his mother orders it.

Stella. – Sometimes one may be mistaken about people.

Drahomir. – Do you speak about me or Miliszewski?