JULIA.  What occasions?

JEAN.  Like the one of which we were speaking.  The last time—­

JULIA. [Rising] Stop!  I don’t want to hear any more!

JEAN.  Nor did she—­curiously enough!  Well, then I ask permission to go to bed.

JULIA. [Gently] Go to bed on Midsummer Eve?

JEAN.  Yes, for dancing with that mob out there has really no attraction for me.

JULIA.  Get the key to the boat and take me out on the lake—­I want to watch the sunrise.

JEAN.  Would that be wise?

JULIA.  It sounds as if you were afraid of your reputation.

JEAN.  Why not?  I don’t care to be made ridiculous, and I don’t care to be discharged without a recommendation, for I am trying to get on in the world.  And then I feel myself under a certain obligation to Christine.

JULIA.  So it’s Christine now

JEAN.  Yes, but it’s you also—­Take my advice and go to bed!

JULIA.  Am I to obey you?

JEAN.  For once—­and for your own sake!  The night is far gone.  Sleepiness makes us drunk, and the head grows hot.  Go to bed!  And besides—­if I am not mistaken—–­I can hear the crowd coming this way to look for me.  And if we are found together here, you are lost!

CHORUS. [Is heard approaching]: 
      Through the fields come two ladies a-walking,
      Treederee-derallah, treederee-derah. 
      And one has her shoes full of water,
      Treederee-derallah-lah.

      They’re talking of hundreds of dollars,
      Treederee-derallah, treederee-derah. 
      But have not between them a dollar
      Treederee-derallah-lah.

      This wreath I give you gladly,
      Treederee-derallah, treederee-derah. 
      But love another madly,
      Treederee-derallah-lah.

JULIA.  I know the people, and I love them, just as they love me.  Let them come, and you’ll see.

JEAN.  No, Miss Julia, they don’t love you.  They take your food and spit at your back.  Believe me.  Listen to me—­can’t you hear what they are singing?—­No, don’t pay any attention to it!

JULIA. [Listening] What is it they are singing?

JEAN.  Oh, something scurrilous.  About you and me.

JULIA.  How infamous!  They ought to be ashamed!  And the treachery of it!

JEAN.  The mob is always cowardly.  And in such a fight as this there is nothing to do but to run away.

JULIA.  Run away?  Where to?  We cannot get out.  And we cannot go into Christine’s room.

JEAN.  Oh, we cannot?  Well, into my room, then!  Necessity knows no law.  And you can trust me, for I am your true and frank and respectful friend.

JULIA.  But think only-think if they should look for you in there!

JEAN.  I shall bolt the door.  And if they try to break it I open, I’ll shoot!—­Come! [Kneeling before her] Come!

JULIA. [Meaningly] And you promise me—?